Percutaneous liver core biopsy in rats: an alternative to minilaparotomy

Abstract

Sampling of rat hepatic tissue for histomorphological analysis is usually performed in two different ways: either by killing the animals or by minilaparotomy.

In this study we describe a percutaneous core biopsy technique which has been used on day 7, 14 and 21 after allogeneic rat liver transplantation (DA → LEW) in order to examine grafts for rejection in different treatment groups. Fifty-two liver biopsies were performed in 24 animals using a 16-gauge intravenous cannula. Forty-five provided usable specimens which were sufficient for both light or electron microscopy and immunohistochemical analyses to determine the degree of graft rejection. In 7 cases (13.5%) sampling was unsuccessful, especially on day 21 after transplantation, as the plastic cannula could not penetrate the hardened tissue. In 3 animals (5.8%) puncture was immediately followed by death due to perforation of the diaphragm or ether intoxication.

In conclusion, this technique is a reliable method for providing ample tissue samples from the rat liver with a low risk of complications.