A method for preparing mouse skin for assessing in vitro dermal penetration of xenobiotics

A method is described for preparing mouse skin for assessment of in vitro penetration of dermally applied compounds. Separation of the epidermis from the dermis was attempted using a dermatome, heat, trypsin and collagenase. When mouse skin was incubated in a collagenase solution and separated using water, the hypodermis and part of the dermis were separated from the epidermis while leaving the hair follicles and hair shafts intact. Morphologically, the skins prepared for in vitro use appeared to offer similar barriers to topically applied compounds as those found in vivo.