SOP 10.5.5 - Euthanasia Method for Rodent Neonates and Fetuses

University Animal Care Committee Standard Operating Procedure

Document No: 10.5.5

Subject: Euthanasia Method for Rodent Neonates and Fetuses

Date Issued: March 7, 2023

Revision: 3

Location: Queen’s University

Responsibility: Principal Investigators, Research Staff, Veterinary Staff

Purpose: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to describe the procedure for the euthanasia of rodent neonates and fetuses.

Abbreviations:

Animal Care Services ACS, Principal Investigator PI, subcutaneous SC, intravenous IV, intraperitoneal IP, intramuscular IM, per os PO, per rectum PR

1. Introduction and Definitions:

As per the UACC policy on euthanasia of animals used in science, there are several acceptable methods of euthanasia for neonate and fetal rodents.

2. Materials:

  • Calibrated inhalant isoflurane anaesthetic vaporizer with anaesthetic induction chamber
  • Oxygen
  • Instruments for secondary method (e.g. scissors, cage card holder)
  • Injectable Anesthetics

3. Procedures:

Euthanasia of Fetuses up to 15 Days Gestation:

  • Neural development during this developmental stage is minimal and pain perception is considered unlikely. Euthanasia of the mother ensures rapid death of the fetus due to loss of blood supply.1

Over 15 Days Gestation:

  • Rodent fetuses are resistant to hypoxia. Near-term rodent fetuses experiencing umbilical cord occlusion exhibited respiratory movements for up to 40 min after occlusion (as per the ACLAM Task Force on Rodent Euthanasia). Fetuses require extended exposure to inhalant anesthetics, including CO2 . When fetuses are not required for study, the method chosen for euthanasia of a pregnant mother should ensure cerebral anoxia to the fetus and minimally disturb the uterine milieu to minimize fetal arousal. A recommended method for euthanasia of the mother in this circumstance is CO2 exposure followed by cervical dislocation.
     
  • When fetal tissue is required, euthanasia includes skillful injection of chemical anesthetics in sufficient quantities to ensure death, or decapitation with sharp surgical/decapitation scissors.
     
  • When chemical fixation of the whole fetus is required, fetuses should be anesthetized prior to immersion in, or perfusion with, fixative solutions. Anesthesia may be induced by hypothermia, or by injection with a chemical anesthetic.

Euthanasia of Neonates:

Neonates up to 14 Days of Age

  • Maturation of nociceptors and the development of excitatory and inhibitory receptor systems occur during the period just prior to birth and extend into the 2 week of postnatal life.
     
  • Methods for the euthanasia of neonatal rats includes injection of chemical anesthetics in sufficient quantities to ensure death, (scissor) decapitation.
     
  • Resistance to hypoxia results in a prolonged time to unconsciousness when CO2 inhalation is used as a euthanasia agent. The duration of exposure to carbon dioxide varies with the age of the neonate. Inbred and outbred neonatal rats less than 7 d of age may differ in susceptibility to CO2, requiring exposures as long as 50 min to ensure euthanasia. When using CO2 for euthanasia, death must be verified prior to disposal of the carcass and a physical secondary method is required unless justified within the protocol.

Neonates over 14 Days of Age

  • Between the age of 14 days and weaning, rats can be euthanized with isoflurane, followed by a secondary method.
  • Isoflurane anesthetic chambers should not be overloaded and need to be kept clean to minimize odors that might distress the next animal euthanized.
  • The anesthetic can be introduced at a high concentration from a vaporizer of an anesthetic machine connected to an adequate scavenging system or air filter.

 

Rat Age Method of Euthanasia
Embryo – E15
  • Euthanasia of the Dam
E16 – Birth (No Fetal Tissue required)
  • Euthanasia of the Dam
E16 – Birth (Fetal Tissue or Whole Fetus required)
  • Dam is euthanized, fetus the will be euthanized by scissor decapitation or injectable anesthetic 2
  • If whole Fetus is required, injectable anesthetic or hypothermia required before fixative.
Birth – 14 days (P14)
  • Scissor decapitation
    OR
  • Injectable anesthetic 2
Neonates 15 days (P15) – 21 days (P21)
  • Inhalant overdose 2
    OR
  • Injectable anesthetic 2

 

1 For dam euthanasia methods, please refer to: Animals in Science - Standard Operating Procedures

  • SOP 10.5.1 – Euthanasia of Adult Rodents via Barbiturate or Injectable Anesthetic Overdose
  • SOP 10.5.2 – Euthanasia of Adult Rodents via CO2 Asphyxiation
  • SOP 10.5.3 - Euthanasia of Adult Rodents via Overdose of Inhalant Anesthesia
  • SOP 10.5.4 – Euthanasia of Rodents via Physical Methods

2 A physical method of euthanasia such as cervical dislocation, bilateral pneumothorax, heart snip or exsanguination is required (unless otherwise justified in the animal use protocol) before disposal to ensure death.

, Volume 45, Number 1, January 2006, pp. 98-105(8) James Artwohl, Patricia Brown, Brian Corning and Susan Stein Report of the ACLAM Task Force on Rodent Euthanasia

Date New Version
03/07/2023 Created
01/22/2024 Added a chart with acceptable euthanasia methods
02/21/2024 Updated chart and wording

 

SOP 10.5.5 - Euthanasia Method for Rodent Neonates and Fetuses

Download SOP 10.5.5 (PDF 87 KB)