Intraperitoneal Injection of Neonatal Mice

Area of Science:

• Neonatal mouse models
• Pre-clinical research
• Drug delivery systems

Background:

• Accurate administration of substances to neonatal mice is crucial for early-stage therapeutic research, toxin studies, and viral vector delivery.
• Existing injection routes like intravenous and intracerebroventricular have specific limitations for neonatal application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a simple, rapid, and efficient protocol for intraperitoneal injection in neonatal mice (1-5 days old).
• To enable systemic dosing of small volumes (1-10 microL) in mouse pups for various research applications.

Main Methods:

• A modified needle-syringe system using a detached 30-gauge needle connected to polyethylene tubing and a Hamilton syringe.
• Intraperitoneal injection into the peritoneal cavity of neonatal mice aged 1-5 days.

Main Results:

• The protocol allows for accurate administration of small volumes (1-10 microL).
• The procedure is rapid, completed within minutes, and is well-tolerated by pups and dams.
• The method is safe and can be combined with other administration routes.

Conclusions:

• This protocol offers a straightforward and effective method for systemic drug delivery in neonatal mice.
• The technique supports research across disciplines requiring neonatal administration of viruses, toxins, or therapeutic compounds.