Repeated Orotracheal Intubation in Mice

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Research Techniques
• Respiratory Physiology

Background:

• Traditional mouse intubation methods often require direct glottic visualization or surgical incision, causing trauma and limiting longitudinal studies.
• These invasive techniques can be challenging, especially in pigmented mice, and may impede accurate physiological measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a refined, non-invasive orotracheal intubation technique for mice.
• To enable transcutaneous visualization of the trachea for improved intubation success and reduced animal distress.
• To facilitate repeated intubation for longitudinal studies in mouse models of respiratory disease.

Main Methods:

• A depilatory agent is used to remove ventral neck hair, followed by specific physical manipulation of the mouse.
• This allows for transcutaneous visualization of the trachea, irrespective of skin pigmentation.
• The technique facilitates orotracheal intubation with minimal anatomical knowledge.

Main Results:

• The described method is innocuous, causing minimal tissue trauma to the animal.
• It allows for reliable visualization and intubation, even in mice with dark skin pigmentation.
• The technique is easily reproducible and requires limited technical expertise.

Conclusions:

• This refined mouse intubation technique offers a less invasive and more accessible alternative to existing methods.
• It supports longitudinal studies and repeated interventions in mouse models, potentially reducing animal numbers and technical demands.
• The method enhances the feasibility of studying respiratory diseases in mice.