Mouse spinal cord moldThe usage method involves multiple key steps, and the following is a detailed explanation:
preparation
Environment and Equipment Preparation
Ensure a clean and tidy laboratory environment, and prepare experimental equipment such as spinal cord molds, surgical knives, sutures, needles, etc.
Select appropriate rat and mouse breeds according to experimental needs and ensure their health status.
Animal anesthesia and fixation
Place the experimental animals in an anesthesia box and use an appropriate amount of anesthetic (such as isoflurane or tribromoethanol) to induce anesthesia, ensuring that the animals have no pain sensation.
Place the anesthetized animal on the operating table and use specially designed fixators to secure the animal's head and limbs, ensuring its stability and immobility.
operating steps
Back disinfection and incision
Shave the animal's back and disinfect it with iodine.
Make a small incision in the back using a surgical knife to separate the skin and muscle layers, exposing the spinal cord.
Placement of spinal cord molds
Select a spinal cord mold of appropriate size, slowly insert it into the central cavity of the spinal cord, and ensure that the mold is in the correct position.
Modeling of spinal cord injury (if necessary)
Impact injury model: Based on the principle of free fall, a falling object impacts a metal plate placed on the dura mater, causing localized spinal cord injury. Changing the weight and height of the object can control the degree of injury.
Clamping injury model: Carefully insert the tip of a micro forceps into both sides of the spinal cord and completely compress the spinal cord for a certain period of time.
Other models, such as balloon compression model, spinal cord binding surgery, traction model, cross-sectional model, etc., can be selected according to specific experimental needs.
Wound suturing and postoperative care
Use sutures to suture the incision, ensuring the wound is closed to prevent infection and other complications.
Place the animal in a recovery cage and observe its recovery status. Pay attention to observing the respiration, body temperature, activity ability and other indicators of animals, promptly detect abnormal situations and take corresponding measures.
Administer appropriate medications to animals as needed, such as analgesics, antibiotics, etc., to alleviate pain and prevent infection.
Provide animals with a suitable environment, including appropriate temperature, sufficient food and water sources, to help them recover their health.
During the postoperative period, regularly observe the behavior and health status of the animals, record relevant data for subsequent experimental analysis and result evaluation.
Mold maintenance and precautions
Mold cleaning and disinfection
After use, rinse the mold promptly with PBS or pure water to remove residual liquid and tissue debris.
Soak the mold in 70% ethanol or other disinfectant solution, disinfect for more than 30 minutes, and let it dry before storing and reusing.
Operating standards and safety
When processing spinal cord samples, gentle handling should be performed to avoid damaging the spinal cord tissue. When flushing the spinal cord, an appropriate amount of physiological saline or PBS should be used to ensure the removal of impurities.
When slicing, the sharpness of the slicing machine or manual slicing knife should be maintained to obtain a flat and uniform slice. Adjust the slice thickness and select the appropriate slice thickness according to experimental requirements.
When using liquid nitrogen or ultra-low temperature refrigerators, personal safety protection should be taken into account, appropriate protective equipment should be worn, and direct contact with frozen items in liquid nitrogen or ultra-low temperature refrigerators should be avoided to prevent frostbite.