Chemyx: In a Fix - The Ins and Outs of Laboratory Animal Perfusion

Animal perfusion is important for a plethora of operations including multiple in vivo imaging modalities and targeted gene/drug delivery. Perfusion takes the right reagents, the right parameters, and a steady hand. Perfusion sounds relatively simple, but the subtleties involved makes reproducible execution challenging in practice.

Written byChemyx Inc.
| 4 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
4:00
Share

P

erfusion is a vascular technique used to prepare tissues for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analysis in anesthetized animals. This terminal procedure inserts a hypodermic needle into the left ventricle or aorta to inject fixative solutions throughout the circulatory system and targets organs within seconds. The process of perfusion can be relatively easy to explain, yet the subtleties involved in executing this technique make it a challenge in practice. The following discussion outlines essential considerations for efficient whole-body animal perfusion along with perfusion-based applications.

References

1. H.B. Waynforth and P.A. Flecknell, "Experimental and Surgical Technique in the Rat," Academic Press (2nd Ed), 1992.

2. G.J. Gage, et al., "Whole Animal Perfusion Fixation for Rodents," J Vis Exp (65): 3564, 2012.

3. X. Zhang et. al., "Near-infrared molecular probes for in vivo imaging," Curr Protoc Cytom 12:27, 2012.

4. B.M.W. Tsui and D.L. Kraitchman, "Recent Advances in Small-Animal Cardiovascular Imaging," ...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here
Share
Image of small blue creatures called Nergals. Some have hearts above their heads, which signify friendship. There is one Nergal who is sneezing and losing health, which is denoted by minus one signs floating around it.
June 2025, Issue 1

Nergal Networks: Where Friendship Meets Infection

A citizen science game explores how social choices and networks can influence how an illness moves through a population.

View this Issue
Explore synthetic DNA’s many applications in cancer research

Weaving the Fabric of Cancer Research with Synthetic DNA

Twist Bio 
Illustrated plasmids in bright fluorescent colors

Enhancing Elution of Plasmid DNA

cytiva logo
An illustration of green lentiviral particles.

Maximizing Lentivirus Recovery

cytiva logo
Explore new strategies for improving plasmid DNA manufacturing workflows.

Overcoming Obstacles in Plasmid DNA Manufacturing

cytiva logo

Products

The Scientist Placeholder Image

Waters Enhances Alliance iS HPLC System Software, Setting a New Standard for End-to-End Traceability and Data Integrity 

The Scientist Placeholder Image

Agilent Unveils the Next Generation in LC-Mass Detection: The InfinityLab Pro iQ Series

agilent-logo

Agilent Announces the Enhanced 8850 Gas Chromatograph

parse-biosciences-logo

Pioneering Cancer Plasticity Atlas will help Predict Response to Cancer Therapies