| Popis: |
The feasibility of continuous intravenous infusion as a method for compound administration in studies up to 6 months in duration was assessed in adult male and female Fischer 344 rats (20 per sex). A polyethylene/silastic can-nula was inserted into the jugular vein and exteriorized in the subscapular region of anesthetized rats. Following a 2-week postsurgery recovery period, each animal was fitted with a flexible Velcro saddle/jacket assembly and attached to a tethering system. Infusion pumps were used for infusing sterile saline at a rate of approximately 0.8 ml/hour continuously for 6 months. Animal health was evaluated by monitoring body weight, food consumption, clinical chemistry, hematology, uri-nalysis, and histopathology. At monthly intervals, Brevital sodium (5 mg/kg) was injected into the cannulae for assessing patency, and two animals per sex were submitted for necropsy. Within 4 days postsurgery, mean body weights of male and female rats decreased by approximately 3–5%, compared to presurgery... |
