[Transcervical injection into the uterine lumen of castrated swine as a cell and organ biological research design. The Mariensee model]. / Die transcervicale Injektion in das Uteruslumen von kastrierten Schweinen als zell- und organbiologische Versuchsanordnung. Das Mariensee Modell.

ABSTRACT

The technique and the equipment necessary for the transcervical intrauterine injection in trained, ovariectomized pigs is detailed. Experimental groups of 14-16 week-old animals are recruited from German landrace litters with large numbers (4-9) of females. A silastic tubing containing a crystalline suspension of estradiol in propylene glycol is subcutaneously implanted behind the right ear. Ovariectomy and the detachment of the left uterine horn from the cervix are performed 7-10 days later. The animals are then kept for 6-7 weeks in ventilated stables, heated to 20 degrees C in wintertime, with 12 hr light dark cycle, free access to water and semi-ad libitum supplies of pelleted standard feed. The silastic implant gives rise to plasma levels of 8-12 pg estradiol/ml and still contains crystalline sediments when removed before the experiment. The manipulations for the transcervical, intrauterine instillation of solutions, imitating the reproductive action of the boar, are practiced daily for at least one week. The animals learn quickly to enter a restraining box, which is facilitated by the simultaneous offering of pellets drenched with root beer. The intrauterine injections proceed thereafter without any signs of stress from the animals. Stress is also avoided during slaughter by unexpected electric stunning on leaving the box, followed by exsanguination. Uteri are quickly excised and chilled in crushed ice until processed. One to two grams of endometrium cells can be harvested by curettage from each, treated and untreated (detached) horn. The Mariensee model allows for defined kinetic analyses of treated cells and provides nontreated controls from the same animal. It combines the advantages of in-vivo and in-vitro experiments.