Blood Collection

IACUC Policy: 006-06, Effective Date: 01/25/2008, Last Revision: 11/17/2023

Overview/Purpose

Blood collection/sampling is a common and important procedure utilized in the research setting. This policy provides guidance on blood collection activities necessary for research.

Requirements

Blood Collection

The selected blood collection technique, volume, and frequency must be outlined in the approved IACUC protocol. In general, blood collection from a peripheral site is preferred over a central vessel. Retro-orbital blood collection in rodents is discouraged due to the potential for ocular trauma, and must be justified in the IACUC protocol if this method is used. Animals must not be returned to the housing location until complete hemostasis is achieved. Hemostasis can be achieved using digital pressure or clotting agents such as Kwik-Stop powder.

Volume of Blood Collected

Regardless of species, the maximum volume of blood collected must not exceed 1.5% of the total body weight over a 2 week period. A single blood draw must not exceed 1% of the total body weight. Animals that are young, aged, stressed; have undergone research procedures; or are suffering from systemic disease may not tolerate the removal of this volume, and a smaller volume should be considered when possible.

Example Calculations

Examples of a blood volume equaling 1% of the total body weight (assuming 1 ml of blood equals 1 gm):

• 0.15 ml from a 15 gm mouse
• 3 ml from a 300 gm rat
• 35 ml from a 3.5 kg rabbit
• 400 ml from a 40 kg dog

Terminal Blood Collection

Terminal blood collection, including cardiac puncture, must only be performed while an animal is under general anesthesia for a non-survival procedure. Death must be verified upon completion using a secondary method of euthanasia as described in your IACUC protocol.

References

• Heinz-Diehl K, Hull R, Morton D, Pfister R, Rabemampianina Y, Smith D, Vidal JM, Vorstenbosch C. 2001. A good practical guide to the administration of substances and removal of blood, including routes and volumes. J Appl Toxicol; 21: 15-23.
• Whittaker A, Francisco C, Howarth G. 2015. Effects on Animal Wellbeing and Sample Quality of 2 Techniques for Collecting Blood from the Facial Vein of Mice. JAALAS 54(1):80-84.
• Hoff J. 2000. Methods of Blood Collection in the Mouse. Lab Animal 29(10):47-53.
• Teilmann AC, Nygaard Madsen A, Holst B, Hau J, Rozell B, et al. (2014) Physiological and Pathological Impact of Blood Sampling by Retro-Bulbar Sinus Puncture and Facial Vein Phlebotomy in Laboratory Mice. PLoS ONE 9(11): e113225. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113225
• Kesavan R, Parasuraman S, and Raveendran R. 2010. Blood Sample Collection in Small Laboratory Animals. Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics 1(2): 87- 93. doi: 10.4103/0976-500X.72350
• George A, Harmsen B, Ford J, Tadepalli S, and Horton N. Evaluation of Submental Blood Collection in Mice (Mus musculus). 2023. JAALAS. Jan; 62(1): 92-98.