AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 248, Issue 1 143-H146, Copyright © 1985 by American Physiological Society
A new preparation for microcirculatory studies of the hamster cheek pouch
M. J. Davis and R. W. Gore
Existing methods of preparing the hamster cheek pouch for observation under
an intravital microscope have several disadvantages. The everted method,
described by Duling (Microvasc. Res. 5: 423-429, 1973), appears to restrict
blood flow by placing unnatural tension on the retractor muscle and by
requiring an incision in the tip of the pouch. The method of Yamaki et al.
(Microvasc. Res. 21: 299-301, 1981) requires an incision in the tip of the
pouch and complete disconnection of the retractor muscle. The chamber
method of Greenblatt et al. (Microvasc. Res. 1: 420-432, 1969) has a
limited optical resolution because the tissue cannot easily be
transilluminated with properly condensed light. We have devised a less
traumatic method of preparing the pouch, which eliminates these
disadvantages. The hamster is anesthetized, and a thin, glass support plate
is inserted into the left cheek pouch. The plate is constructed and
positioned so that it does not restrict flow to any part of the pouch. The
free end of the plate is secured to the animal stage. An incision is made
in the skin to expose the cheek pouch, and the loose, avascular connective
tissue investing the pouch and the retractor muscle is removed. The pouch
is positioned at an angle of 20 degrees from the hamster's body in a
temperature-controlled chamber over a standard microscope condensor system.
Throughout both surgical and experimental procedures, the pouch is
superfused with Ringer-bicarbonate solution at 37.5 degrees C. This
preparation minimizes surgical trauma and allows the entire vascular supply
to the cheek pouch to be studied.
