Clinical chemistry analysis of mouse blood

The amount of clinical pathology data that can be collected from a mouse is limited owing to the animal's small blood volume. The use of portable clinical analyzers is an attractive option for obtaining clinical pathology panels in mice because these analyzers require small volumes of whole blood. Tinkey et al. evaluated the use of the Abbott i-STAT handheld portable clinical analyzer compared to standard non-portable laboratory instruments in mice. They determined that, as seen in studies with other animals, the i-STAT results do not always agree with standard laboratory instruments; however, it can be used reliably for evaluating levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, and blood urea nitrogen in mouse samples. See page 45

Telemetric tracking of frogs

Concern about the effects of habitat modification on the natural movements and behavior of amphibians has led researchers to devise several methods to follow individual animals as they migrate among seasonal resources; one such method is the surgical insertion of radiotransmitters. Intracoelomic implantation has come into general use despite the relative lack of specific procedural guidelines and information about the effects of transmitter insertion and removal. Johnson outlines the surgical implantation procedures used on the gray treefrog and provides insight into the effects of multiple major surgical invasions on the long-term survival of amphibians. See page 29

Animal models of blood vessel growth

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease are the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in western countries, and the treatment for these is generally by the mechanical restoration of blood flow in the affected tissues. Stimulation of collateral artery growth provides a potential alternative option for the treatment of patients suffering from occlusive artery disease. Therefore, researchers have established several angiogenesis and arteriogenesis animal models to investigate basic mechanisms and pharmacological modulation of collateral artery growth. Hoefer and coworkers highlight the most important aspects of vascular growth, discuss different methods and techniques for examining the process, and review the advantages and disadvantages associated with the animal models available for studying this phenomenon. See page 36