【Animal Modeling】- Improvement of the method for locating the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus in rats

  Objective: To improve the stereotaxic oblique puncture method in rats.

  Methods: 18 SD rats were taken and randomly divided into experimental group (oblique puncture group) and control group (vertical puncture group). The experimental group underwent oblique puncture from the left deflection and sagittal plane at an angle of 20°, and the control group was punctured from the vertical direction of the supraoptic nucleus. The operation time, complications and mortality were compared between the two groups.

  RESULTS: The positioning time of the nuclei in the oblique puncture group was longer than that in the vertical puncture group (59.55±3.64 s vs 27.44±2.18 s, P=0.000). The death rate of oblique puncture group at 24 hours after operation was lower than that of vertical puncture group (0 vs 44.4%, P=0.082). Intraoperative rupture rate of the superior sagittal sinus in the oblique puncture group was lower than that in the vertical puncture group (11.1% vs 88.9%, P=0.003). Post-craniotomy hemostasis time (52.89±24.05 s vs 157.44±38.19 s, P=0.000), post-puncture hemostasis time (24.33±10.60 s vs 133.89±28.81 s, P=0.000), operation completion time (178.89±35.22 s vs. 362.44±66.52 s, P=0.000) were less than the vertical group.

  Conclusion: The improved method for positioning the supraoptic nucleus is simple to operate, has good stability and repeatability, can effectively avoid important blood vessels and nuclei in the brain according to different experimental needs, and also provides more surgical paths for different experimental operators, which is worthwhile. Promoted in animal experiments.