A method for collecting high numbers of blood samples in standard vacuum tubes from non-heparinized pigs

Abstract

Large animal models allow for collection of substantial amounts of biological material. However, the collection of larger volumes (>100 ml) of blood from pigs can be a challenge: (i) the peripheral veins are not suitable for collection of high numbers of standard blood tubes as the veins tend to collapse; and (ii) the alternative option of cannulating deeper veins mandates surgical exposure of the vessels and often the need for heparinization, which is undesirable for some blood analysis. During an immunization trial in 40 pigs, we assessed the femoral and saphenous arteries as practical vessels for collecting 250 ml of blood from each pig in standard collection tubes without heparinization. Blood collected from the saphenous artery by a standard butterfly needle proved particularly useful and 250 ml blood could be collected successfully in 24 of 25 pigs by this approach.

Glycosylation of bacterial antigens changes epitope patterns

“…Rabbits were bled and sera were used for the phage display experiments and array experiments as well. Female pigs (Landrace x Yorkshire) 12-15 weeks old were either vaccinated with gYghJ (n = 19) or infected with the UPEC strain UTI89 directly in the bladder (n = 17) as part of another study with another primary objective (33). Serum samples were collected for the different experiments using a recently described approach (33).…”

“…Female pigs (Landrace x Yorkshire) 12-15 weeks old were either vaccinated with gYghJ (n = 19) or infected with the UPEC strain UTI89 directly in the bladder (n = 17) as part of another study with another primary objective (33). Serum samples were collected for the different experiments using a recently described approach (33). The pig experiments were performed according to the European Union Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, and approved by the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate, license number: 2021-15-0201-00821.…”