Large animal studies

KAC performs studies using conventional small animals (rat and mouse) as well as mid-sized/large animals (rabbit, dog, and pig). Particularly, the low-cost experimental pigs Zen-Noh Premium Pigs (ZPPs), which are produced by the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (Zen-Noh), are available, in addition to usual mini-pigs for a wide variety of purposes such as pharmacological studies, practice of operations, and tests of medical devices.

Pig housing facility/basic experimental procedure

• Our piggery has 22 pens of housing space dedicated for pigs and multiple housing is also possible
  (up to 3 animals/pen can be housed for animals weighing about 30 kg).
• The piggery is equipped with multifunctional positioners that enable smooth handling of heavy domestic pigs.
  

  
• Basic experimental procedures for dogs/pigs are possible.

  Blood sampling (dog)	Blood sampling from the cephalic vein/superficial vein
  Blood sampling (pig)	Blood sampling from the sinus of the vena cava anterior/auricular veins
  Oral administration	Administration in liquid/capsule form
  Parenteral administration	Intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal administration

Operation/measurement devices

Large animal experiments (pig/dog) are possible in the KAC facility.
Simultaneous operations can be performed in 2 animals using the 2 anesthetic devices.

Angiography using radiographic device

1. Introduce deep anesthesia to the animal and place a sheath introducer in the artery of the neck or thigh.
2. To prevent thrombosis, administer saline containing heparin sodium through the sheath introducer.
3. Using the radiographic device, insert a guide catheter and a guide wire in the sheath introducer and advance them to the target site while observing the fluoroscopic image.
4. When the guide catheter reaches the target site, observe the image while administering the contrast medium.

Streptozocin (STZ)-induced pig diabetes model

1. Before administration of STZ, perform placement and canulation for blood sampling. Introduce deep anesthesia to the animal and incise the thigh to expose the femoral artery. Then incise the artery to place a catheter. Advance the tip of the catheter through the subcutaneous tissue to the outlet in the flank, and fix with tapes.
2. Dissolve STZ in citrate buffer solution and administer it through the catheter while the animal is awake.
3. After administration, sample blood through the catheter to measure blood glucose level.