Biomaterial Database

Review of Intraperitoneal Injection of Sodium Pentobarbital as a Method of Euthanasia in Laboratory Rodents. 2020

Colin A Laferriere, and Daniel Sj Pang

Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint- Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.

Euthanasia is one of the most commonly performed procedures in biomedical research, involving tens of millions of animals in North America and Europe every year. The use of sodium pentobarbital, injected intraperitoneally, for killing rodents is described as an acceptable technique by the AVMA and CCAC euthanasia guidelines. This drug and route are recommended over inhalant anesthetics, carbon dioxide, and physical methods for ethical and aesthetic reasons as well as efficiency. However, a growing body of evidence challenges the efficacy and utility of intraperitoneal pentobarbital. This methodology has been described as inconsistent and may induce pain and stress. With these considerations in mind, a review of the literature is needed to assess the evidence surrounding this killing method, the associated welfare implications, and potential for refinement.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007274	Injections, Intraperitoneal	Forceful administration into the peritoneal cavity of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through a hollow needle piercing the abdominal wall.	Intraperitoneal Injections,Injection, Intraperitoneal,Intraperitoneal Injection
D010146	Pain	An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS.	Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D010424	Pentobarbital	A short-acting barbiturate that is effective as a sedative and hypnotic (but not as an anti-anxiety) agent and is usually given orally. It is prescribed more frequently for sleep induction than for sedation but, like similar agents, may lose its effectiveness by the second week of continued administration. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p236)	Mebubarbital,Mebumal,Diabutal,Etaminal,Ethaminal,Nembutal,Pentobarbital Sodium,Pentobarbital, Monosodium Salt,Pentobarbitone,Sagatal,Monosodium Salt Pentobarbital
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000827	Animal Welfare	The protection of animals in laboratories or other specific environments by promoting their health through better nutrition, housing, and care.	Animal Cruelty,Cruelty, Animal,Welfare, Animal
D000830	Animals, Laboratory	Animals used or intended for use in research, testing, or teaching.	Laboratory Animals,Animal, Laboratory,Laboratory Animal
D012377	Rodentia	A mammalian order which consists of 29 families and many genera.	Beavers,Capybaras,Castor Beaver,Dipodidae,Hydrochaeris,Jerboas,Rodents,Beaver,Capybara,Hydrochaeri,Jerboa,Rodent,Rodentias
D017408	Guidelines as Topic	Works about a systematic statement of policy rules or principles. Guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by convening expert panels. For guidelines in the field of health care and clinical medicine, PRACTICE GUIDELINES AS TOPIC is available.	Guidelines as Topics
D018685	Anesthetics, Inhalation	Gases or volatile liquids that vary in the rate at which they induce anesthesia; potency; the degree of circulation, respiratory, or neuromuscular depression they produce; and analgesic effects. Inhalation anesthetics have advantages over intravenous agents in that the depth of anesthesia can be changed rapidly by altering the inhaled concentration. Because of their rapid elimination, any postoperative respiratory depression is of relatively short duration. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p173)	Inhalation Anesthetic,Inhalation Anesthetics,Anesthetic Gases,Anesthetic, Inhalation,Gases, Anesthetic
D035843	Biomedical Research	Research that involves the application of the natural sciences, especially biology and physiology, to medicine.	Medical Research,Experimental Medicine,Investigational Medicine,Investigative Medicine,Research, Biomedical,Research, Medical,Medicine, Experimental,Medicine, Investigational,Medicine, Investigative