Retro-orbital injections in mice

Lab Anim (NY). 2011 May;40(5):155-60. doi: 10.1038/laban0511-155.

Abstract

Intravenous vascular access is technically challenging in the adult mouse and even more challenging in neonatal mice. The authors describe the technique of retro-orbital injection of the venous sinus in the adult and neonatal mouse. This technique is a useful alternative to tail vein injection for the administration of non-tumorigenic compounds. The authors report that they have routinely used this technique in the adult mouse to administer volumes up to 150 μl without incident. Administration of retro-orbital injections is more challenging in neonatal mice but can reliably deliver volumes up to 10 μl.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Injections, Intravenous / instrumentation
  • Injections, Intravenous / methods*
  • Laboratory Animal Science / methods*
  • Mice
  • Orbit / blood supply*
  • Orbit / pathology