Minimally invasive method for collection of blood from guinea pigs.

stage of anesthetization, and is never anesthetized fわr too long a period. ( ii ) Disinfection and stimulation offoot blood flow: A foot is disinfected uslng an alcohol-soaked cotton and mbbed vigorously by a gauze moistened with methyl salicylate・ Use ofxylene is discouraged because it hams the skin. (iii) Collection ofblood: A vein between the digits of the foot is punctured using a 20-gauge needle・ Oozing blood is collected uslng a hematocrit capillary tube (Fig・ 1)・ The capillary tube is changed quickly to collect more blood if oozlng COntinues. Steps (ii) and (iii) should be performed with the animal under shallow anesthesia uslng a 50-m1-disposable centr血ge hbe plugged with an etheトSOaked cotton (Fig. 2).