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Oral Gavage in Mice Protocol

Oral gavage is used to directly administer substances into the stomach of mice and rats. Flexible plastic or rubber gavage needles are preferable to metal needles to reduce tissue damage. The maximum dosing volume is 10 ml/kg for mice and 10-20 ml/kg for rats. To perform gavage, the animal is restrained and the gavage needle is gently inserted down the esophagus before administering the substance slowly. Care must be taken to avoid forcing the needle or administering too quickly to prevent injury.

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121 views3 pages

Oral Gavage in Mice Protocol

Oral gavage is used to directly administer substances into the stomach of mice and rats. Flexible plastic or rubber gavage needles are preferable to metal needles to reduce tissue damage. The maximum dosing volume is 10 ml/kg for mice and 10-20 ml/kg for rats. To perform gavage, the animal is restrained and the gavage needle is gently inserted down the esophagus before administering the substance slowly. Care must be taken to avoid forcing the needle or administering too quickly to prevent injury.

Uploaded by

adan rana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Oral Gavage in Mice:

Introduction: Oral gavage (dosing) is used when a specific volume of an agent needs to be
administered directly into the stomach.

Gavage Needles: Gavage needles are available in disposable plastic or reusable stainless steel.
Flexible plastic gavage needles or red rubber feeding tubes have less chance of damaging the
esophagus than stainless steel gavage needles, but animals may bite through them and they require
some practice to use effectively. All gavage needles have a ball or pear-shaped smooth rounded tip to
prevent injury to the esophagus and other tissues. Gavage needles may be also called feeding needles or
feeding tubes.

Red rubber Feeding Tube

Material Required:
 Gavage Needle
Mouse: 18-20 gauge gavage needle about 1 to 1.5 inches in length with a rounded tip. If
gavage is performed on young mice a smaller tube is used.

Rat: 16-20 gauge gavage needles about 2-3 inches in length or an 8 French rubber
feeding tube

 Prefilled syringes (with substance to be administrated)


 Scale
 Disposable Gloves

Maximum Dose:
The maximum dosing volume is 10 ml/kg for the mouse and 10-20 ml/kg for the rat.

Procedure:
1. Weigh the animal and determine the appropriate dosing volume.
2. Check the length of the gavage tube by measuring from the tip of the animal’s head to the last rib.
Mark the tube at the nose and do not pass the tube into the animal past that point to avoid
perforation of the stomach. This is particularly important with younger animals (<20 grams).

3. Restrain the animal. Scruff the mice, grasping the skin over the shoulders with the thumb and
middle fingers. Grasp the skin over the shoulders so that the fore legs are extended out to the side,
keeping the front feet from pushing the gavage tube away.

4. Hold the animal’s head in place by gently extending the head back - this extension of the head
creates a straight line through the neck and esophagus.

5. Insert the gavage needle into the mouth and direct over the tongue. The tube is then gently
advanced along the upper palate until the esophagus is reached. The tube should pass easily into
the esophagus. Pass the tube smoothly in one motion. Note: If there is any resistance, do not
force the tube. Pull the tube out and try again.

6. Once proper placement is verified, the material can be administered by a syringe attached to the
end of the tube. Do not rotate the tube because the tip may rupture the esophagus. After dosing,
pull gavage needle straight out.

7. Return the animal to cage and observe animal for normal respiration.

. Restraint Presentation

. Introducing the Gavage


Needle Tilting Head Back
Gavage Needle Fully Inserted
.

Precautions:
1. The position of the mouse is very important. Align the head and body vertically
with the esophagus.
2. Never force the feeding needle down, allow the mouse to swallow and gravity to assist.
3. Always administer the compound slowly and finish administering before pulling gavage
needle out. Always pull needle straight out.
4. STOP the procedure if mucous membranes are blue, the mouse struggles vigorously, or
fluid comes from the nose.
5. Precoating the gavage needle with sucrose has been demonstrated to decrease stress-
related reactions and thereby improve animal welfare during oral gavage.

Potential adverse effects to be considered: Perforation or trauma of the esophagus or stomach,


aspiration into the trachea/lungs, or respiratory distress.

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