Necropsy

The gross examination of any euthanized or spontaneously dead research animal to collect specific tissues for pathological examinations including descriptions of any abnormalities identified. Upon completion, the necropsy results are e-mailed to investigators.

Necropsy services include:

• Tissue Collection into fixatives
• Bioassay/phenotyping
• Early and late stage embryo removal and evaluation
• Whole Body Perfusion
• RNAse free tissue preparation
• Blood Collection
• Tissue Collection in sterile media
Typical list of tissues collected:
Adrenals
Brain
Femur with marrow
Heart
Kidneys
Large and small intestine
Liver (all four lobes)
Lung
Nasal Section
Pancreas
Pituitary
Salivary gland with mandibular lymph node
Sex organs with urinary bladder
Skin (from inguinal region; usually includes mammary gland)
Spinal column
Spleen
Stomach
Thymus
• Gross Photography
• Tissue Collection and fixation
Commonly used fixatives:
10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF)
Bouin’s
4% Paraformaldehyde
70% Ethanol
Carnoy’s
Gluteraldehyde
Zinc
Telley’s
Or any others supplied by investigators
Decalcification media used (for bones):
Formic Acid (dilute solution)
EDTA
• Formulas for above fixatives and decalcification
• Organ Weights
• Organs are weighed if enlarged or requested.
• Cryotomy Preparation

In conjunction with performing these routine procedures, PHL does a complete bioassay/phenotyping necropsy on mice, rats, and other laboratory species.

Example of a Necropsy Report

• Pricing
• Establishing an Account