Testing Sensory Nerve Function in a Surgically Denervated Mouse Model

In This Article

Abstract

Source: Peterson, S. C. et al., Cutaneous Surgical Denervation: A Method for Testing the Requirement for Nerves in Mouse Models of Skin Disease. J. Vis. Exp. (2016)

This video demonstrates testing sensory nerve function in a mouse model by surgically denervating one side and leaving the other as a control. The response to mechanical stimulation confirms the role of sensory nerves.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Surgical Denervation

Inject the anesthetic solution intraperitoneally at a dose of 200 µl per 20 g mouse body weight. Check that the animal has reached the proper plane of sedation by toe pinch assay, and confirm that heart and respiratory rates are normal (approximately 600 beats and 160 breaths per min, respectively).
Prepare the surgical area of the back skin using Betadine and alcohol wipes, and cover the animal with a sterile surgical drape (for d....

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Results

Rodent surgical diagram showing dorsal cutaneous nerve dissection; detailed incision methods depicted.
Figure 1. Two approaches for denervating dorsal skin. (A) Cartoon diagram of innervated mouse skin. Red dotted lines indicate a single excision made along the dorsal midline to expose the underlying musculature on the trunk wall (purple) as well as.......