The UAPC houses a dedicated microsurgery suite fully equipped for all rodent surgeries and catheterizations. The primary surgical suite is located in the BIO5 Barrier Facility, which is a clean barrier facility with certain restrictions on the transfer of mice into the facility. A secondary satellite surgical suite to be located in AHSC, which has fewer restrictions and makes UAPC services available to investigators with mouse strains currently restricted from transfer to BIO5, is currently in development.
Below is a brief description of common surgeries offered; however, this is not a complete list. We strive to accomodate all small animal surgeries investigators may have and our expertise in microsurgical techniques allows us to accomodate a wide range of surgical needs, including customized surgical procedures taylored to individual investigator needs. Contact us to discuss services not listed here.
Surgical Procedures
Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion (open-chest)
Operative placement of an occluding snare around the left anterior descending coronary artery. The coronary artery is occluded for 30 minutes, at which point the occluder is removed and the heart is allowed to reperfuse for 2-24 hours. The heart may be stained and sectioned to delineate the normal, at risk, and infarcted areas.
Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion (closed-chest)
The surgical manipulation involved in opening the chest cavity for coronary artery ligation causes a significant immune response, which may impact or confound conclusions. In a closed-chest model the occluder is loosely placed around the coronary artery, the chest is closed, and the animal is allowed to recover for 5 days. This recover period allows for inflammatory responses to subside and allows for a more physiologically relevant model of ischemia/reperfusion. Ischemia can be initiated without re-opening the chest and remaining procedures are similar to the open-chest model.
Myocardial Infarction
Operative placement of a permanent occlusion around the left anterior descending coronary artery. Echocardiography and tissue collection at study conclusion are typically included; however, endpoints and data collection depend on study design.
Transverse Aortic Constriction
Operative placement of a constrictor at the transverse aorta. Echocardiogram and tissue collection at study conclusion are typically included; however, endpoints and data collection depend on study design.
Arteriovenous Fistula
Aortocaval fistula creates a patent shunt between the aorta and inferior vena cava. Echocardiography and tissue collection at study conclusion are typically included; however, endpoints and data collection depend on study design.
Skeltal Muscle Hypertrophy
Ablation of the gastrocnemius creates a mechanical overload of the plantaris and soleus, which tyically results in muscle hypertrophy.
Unilateral Diaphragm Denervation
The phrenic nerve is severed resulting in hemi-paralysis of the diaphragm.
Tissue Fixation and/or Collection
Involves carotid artery or aortic catheterization, fixative perfusion, and tissue collection for histology or tissue harvest and flash freezing.
Pharmacological Injections
Tailored to investigator needs.
Osmotic Minipump
Entails operative placement of osmotic mini-pump.
Customized Surgery
Specialized or modified procedure agreed upon by surgeon and investigator.
For scheduling surgical procedures Contact Us or see our Surgical Procedures Request Form.