A method for sampling and tissue preparation of the parathyroid glands in miniature pigs for toxicity studies

Miniature swine (minipigs) are often used in non-rodent toxicity studies. However, unlike other animal species, the parathyroid glands of minipigs are often covered with thymic tissue and are similar in color, making macroscopical identification difficult. We investigated a method for sampling and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of toxicological sciences 2010, Vol.35(2), pp.235-238
Main Authors: Soshin, Tomomi, Takai, Hirotake, Kato, Chie, Fujii, Etsuko, Matsuo, Saori, Ito, Tsuneo, Suzuki, Masami
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Female
Male
Minipigs
Parathyroid glands
Parathyroid Glands - pathology
Specimen Handling
Swine
Swine, Miniature
Tissue preparation
Toxicity Tests
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Summary:Miniature swine (minipigs) are often used in non-rodent toxicity studies. However, unlike other animal species, the parathyroid glands of minipigs are often covered with thymic tissue and are similar in color, making macroscopical identification difficult. We investigated a method for sampling and tissue preparation of the parathyroid glands using 5- to 7-month-old minipigs. The glands were identified by finding the insertion site of a branch from the carotid artery into the cervical part of the thymus. Then the glands were marked and sampled. In a preliminary study, the glands were macroscopically and microscopically detected in 3/8 animals. The glands were not identified macroscopically in 5/8 animals but were detected in 3 of these animals. In total, we succeeded in detection of the glands in 6/8 animals (75%). The method was applied in the main toxicity study, and we succeeded in 100% detection through technical advancement. The method described herein enables high rate of detection and is useful in the pathological evaluation of the parathyroid glands of minipigs.
ISSN:0388-1350
1880-3989
DOI:10.2131/jts.35.235