Large Animal Models

This video demonstrates the surgical creation of an opening in the rabbit trachea to insert a tracheal cannula for artificially ventilating the lungs.

In this video, we show a procedure to surgically harvest a functional cardiopulmonary block from a rabbit model. The harvested block can be used for further physiological, pharmacological or biochemical studies.

This video shows an ex vivo technique for isolated lung perfusion. It is a tool for pulmonary research that will aid studies of various physiological and pathological mechanisms involved in lung transplantation procedures.

This video demonstrates the procedure to implant EEG-ECG electrodes and attach respiratory probes in a rabbit model for acquiring and analyzing records of its bio signals.

In this video, we show a procedure for simultaneous recording of video-EEG-ECG-capnography-oximetry data generated by inducing seizures in a rabbit model.

In this video, we describe simultaneous recording of video, EEG, ECG and respiratory cues in a rabbit model in response to orally administered drug to understand the sequence of events leading to seizure. The model can be used for testing potential drugs for their neuro-cardiac safety.

In this video, we demonstrate a multisystem monitoring method to evaluate neurological and cardiorespiratory abnormalities during intravenous injection of a seizure-inducing drug. The simultaneous monitoring of video EEG, ECG, oximetry, and capnography parameters helps to understand the real-time physiological changes associated with epileptic seizures.

In this video, we show a procedure to obtain ocular pigment epithelial cells from a rabbit model. The cells are helpful in developing therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases.

In this video, we demonstrate a surgical procedure to remove nictitating membrane from rabbit’s eye.

This video describes the surgical procedure to remove the two parts: palpebral and orbital of the superior lacrimal gland from a rabbit to create a dry eye disease model. This rabbit model is suitable for studies of ocular surface homeostasis, pathophysiology and ocular therapeutics.

In this video, we describe a surgical procedure to remove the large inferior lacrimal gland from a rabbit model to study the effect on tear production in the animal.

In this video, we show a procedure to induce aqueous-deficient dry eye disease in a rabbit model by injecting the palpebral portion of the superior lacrimal gland with Concanavalin A. This model is useful for pharmacokinetic and biodistribution assays of drugs for treating dry eye disease.

This video describes the procedure to induce dry eye disease in a rabbit model through an injection of Concanavalin A into the orbital lobe of the superior lacrimal gland. The developed model is useful to study the effectiveness of various drugs for treating dry eye disease.

In this video, we demonstrate the inoculation of Concanavalin A, a lymphocyte mitogen, into the inferior lacrimal gland of the eye of a rabbit to induce dry eye disease. Ultrasound or sonogram images are used to guide the precise location of the injection site and also to confirm the success of inoculation.

In this video, we demonstrate a procedure for surgically harvesting a segment of the jugular vein from a rabbit model. The resected segment can be used as an autologous vein graft to study intimal hyperplasia that develops due to arterial blood pressure.

This video demonstrates the interposition of the rabbit carotid artery with the jugular vein to induce venous intimal hyperplasia by subjecting the veins to arterial pressure. This model will help investigate molecular and genetic interventions to attenuate the progression of intimal hyperplasia after revascularization surgeries.

In this video, we demonstrate the surgical implantation of tumor tissue into a rabbit liver to induce hepatocellular carcinoma. The procedure helps establish a reliable animal model to study tumor behavior and development of locoregional treatments targeting cancers of the liver.

In this video, we demonstrate a step-by-step procedure to perform hepatic angiography using a fluoroscope that enables the real-time visualization of blood vessels associated with a liver tumor in a rabbit model.

This video describes the technique for performing angiography by injecting a contrast agent into the descending aorta to visualize blood vessel perfusion in a rabbit model. This technique helps to understand the perfusion in blood vessels with blockages and after treatment during recovery.

In this video, we demonstrate a surgical procedure to induce peripheral ischemia via femoral artery ligation in a rabbit. This method provides an effective experimental model for peripheral vascular disease research.

In this video, we demonstrate the tracheal intubation — an invasive procedure for insertion of an endotracheal tube through the mouth in a rabbit model. This procedure allows for mechanical ventilation of the lungs.

In this video, we describe the surgical procedure to generate a rabbit calvarial model to evaluate the bone regeneration capacities of bone sample substitution materials of interest.

This video describes the technique of surgically inducing bacterial infection in the bone marrow of a rabbit by using bone wax to avoid the leakage of bacteria. This rabbit model can be used to study bone infection treatment and bone regeneration.

In this video, we describe the procedure for vitrification of harvested rabbit embryos at desired development stage using ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide as cryoprotectants and cryogenic straw as the carrier system. The vitrified embryos have high survival rate and can be stored for an extended period until use.

This video demonstrates the procedure for thawing vitrified rabbit embryos and the precautionary measurement steps for optimal embryo recovery.

This video describes the technique of transferring embryos into the oviduct of a recipient female rabbit via Laparoscopy. It allows embryo remodeling in rabbits during its migration through the oviduct, eventually helping in successful implantation. This technique can also be used for stored embryos with good efficiency.

In this video, we describe a method to access the cisterna magna in a pig model. The cisterna magna is a preferred site for studies concerning cerebrospinal fluid.

This video describes the protocol for tracer molecule delivery via direct cannulation of the cisterna magna in a pig brain. This method helps visualize the distribution of cerebrospinal fluid in the glymphatic system.

In this video we describe a technique to isolate iris and retinal pigment epithelial cells from porcine eyes to obtain their primary cultures for in vivo and ex vivo studies. These pigment cells could be genetically modified to study regenerative approaches to treat ocular disorders.

In this video, we have demonstrated a step-by-step procedure of pulmonary artery catheterization by inserting an intravascular catheter through jugular vein and reach the pulmonary artery to measure the cardiac chamber pressure in porcine model.

In this video, we show a procedure to surgically isolate the corneoscleral button to generate an ex vivo porcine cornea model. The model is helpful for histological, pathological, and pharmacological studies due to its similarity to the human eye.

This video describes a protocol to set up an ex vivo model for bacterial keratitis using a corneoscleral button dissected from the porcine eye. Inoculated bacteria traverse the corneal epithelial incisions to invade the underlying stroma and establish an infection within the corneal tissues that mimic the in vivo infection.

In this video, we describe a surgical procedure to extract bronchiolar tissues from harvested pig lung. The ex vivo bronchiolar tissue could be used to develop infection models for studying chronic lung infections.

This video describes the protocol for developing an ex vivo pig lung model of bacterial biofilm on infected bronchiolar tissue. Biofilms are bacterial aggregates embedded in a matrix adherent to a surface. This model is used to study the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria at different stages of biofilm formation.

In this video, we demonstrate the dissection of the cornea-bearing anterior segment of the porcine eye. The isolated segment can be used for organ culturing to study the pathophysiology of eye disorders.

In this video, we demonstrate the culturing method of a cornea-bearing anterior eye segment from a porcine eye. This culture system serves as an experimental model to study eye injuries.

This video demonstrates a vibratome-based procedure to generate viable, ultra-thin sections of pig heart. The prepared tissue slices can be cultured and used as model systems for pharmacological testing.

In this video, we describe a step-by-step protocol to extract the heart from a porcine model for cardiac transplantation.

This video describes an ex situ technique for preserving an isolated porcine heart by perfusing it with an oxygenated nutrient-rich perfusate solution. The technique allows the comprehensive evaluation of cardiac performance under physiological conditions.

This video demonstrates the placement of a laser Doppler needle probe in the spinal cord of a porcine model. This helps in the continuous quantification of blood supply to the spinal cord, an important assessment in spinal cord injury.

This video describes the technique of intrathecal placement of a lumbar drain in a porcine ischemic model, which helps in draining the cerebrospinal fluid to a drainage system. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure is monitored by the drainage system, and fluid is drained to maintain a constant cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

This video describes the technique to isolate the cumulus-oocyte complex or COC from porcine ovaries. The isolated intact COC can be used to carry out the in vitro fertilization - the assisted reproductive technique for developing fertility treatments.

This video describes the protocols for encapsulating porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in fibrin-alginate beads to establish a 3D culture.  This in-vitro maturation system maintains normal cell-to-cell communication, ensuring oocyte maturation and retaining viability.

In this video, we describe a protocol for the encapsulation of porcine oocytes in hydrophobic microbioreactors.

This video demonstrates a non-invasive laser-assisted procedure to selectively damage the corneal endothelial cells in the porcine eye. The developed ex vivo model of endothelial cell damage can be used to study diseases of the corneal endothelium.

This video demonstrates nephrectomy, the surgical procedure to remove one of the kidneys along with the section of the ureter. The blood vessels to and from the kidney are tied and divided. The excised kidney can be used for transplantation procedures.

In this video, we describe a technique to induce preservation injury via the prolonged cold ischemic storage time in porcine donor kidney.

This video describes orthotopic kidney auto-transplantation in a porcine model. This surgical procedure involves the transplantation of an animal's kidney graft at its original anatomical location. The model is used to investigate new treatments for end-stage kidney diseases in humans.

In this video, we demonstrate suturing techniques — core suture and Q suture — to repair the foot flexor tendon in an ex vivo porcine model. Q sutures enhance the strength of the core suture in tendon repair and decrease gapping at the tendon repair site.

This video demonstrates a technique of bipolar radiofrequency energy-based transcollation for hemorrhage arrest in solid organ injury in a porcine model. This method is helpful for the surgical management of traumatic injury by achieving hemostasis by arresting bleeding at the injury site.

This video demonstrates the surgical procedure to locate and dissect the infrarenal aorta from the surrounding tissues for accessing it. The exposed aorta can be used for further studies.

This video describes an in vivo surgical procedure to expose the brachial plexus, a neural network that supplies cutaneous and muscular interventions to the upper limb. This surgery helps locate the plexus and eventually assess the extent of nerve injury involving the upper limb.

In this video, we demonstrate the biomechanical testing of the brachial plexus nerve in a pig model to measure the threshold tensile strength of the nerve when subjected to stretching. This technique helps in determining the structural and mechanical properties of the nerve.

In this video, we demonstrate a procedure for the surgical removal of the aorta from miniature pigs. Endothelial cells harvested from these isolated aortae can be further cultured in in vitro conditions to study coagulation and immune responses.

In this video, we demonstrate the isolation of endothelial cells from the abdominal aorta of a pig model using one-step collagenase digestion. The endothelial cells can be cultured for further downstream applications.

This video demonstrates a procedure to insert an electromyography tube inside the pig's trachea. It helps to keep the pig ventilated and monitor the electrical activity of laryngeal muscles in real-time.

In this video, we demonstrate the procedure for the installation of an automated periodic stimulation electrode on the vagus nerve for monitoring nerves during thyroid surgeries in a porcine model. This helps in the correct identification of the target nerve during surgical procedures.

This video describes the protocol to isolate the short posterior ciliary arteries from the porcine eye. The isolated short posterior arteries are a suitable source for elucidating the molecular insights and protein profiles of the ocular blood vessels.

Source:Rui Cerqueira1,2, Liliana Costa1, André Leite-Moreira1, Adelino Leite-Moreira1,2, André Lourenço1, Pedro Mendes-Ferreira11Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto.2Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital Universitário de São João.The video demonstrates a procedure for obtaining vascular access in an anesthetized pig using ultrasound guidance. After disinfecting the site and administering local anesthesia, an ultrasound probe is used to...

This video demonstrates the procedure to isolate the retinal pigment epithelial, or RPE, cells and iris pigment epithelial, or IPE, cells from harvested bovine eyes. The isolated cells can be cultured to study their role in the treatment of ocular diseases.

In this video, we demonstrate the extraction of articular cartilage from an equine cadaveric joint. The isolated articular cartilage can be used for further downstream analysis.