Fig. 3

Dosing and sampling techniques for rodents. (A) Soft oral feeding tubes for rodents are depicted as a dosing technique aimed at reducing the risk of injury and discomfort during oral administration. These tubes are designed to be gentle on the animals’ mouths and throat, minimizing the likelihood of abrasions or irritation. By using soft materials and careful insertion techniques, researchers can ensure a more humane and stress-free experience for the animals, promoting their well-being while facilitating accurate dosing. (B) Intravenous or subcutaneous injections without physical restraint are shown as an alternative to traditional restraint methods. By administering injections without restraining the animals, researchers can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with physical immobilization. This approach allows the animals to remain more relaxed during the procedure, potentially minimizing discomfort and improving the overall quality of data collected. (C) Capillary micro-sampling is presented as a sampling technique that requires minimal blood volume, thereby reducing the impact on animal welfare while ensuring precise sampling. This method involves using specialized equipment to collect small blood samples from the rodents’ capillaries, typically from the tail vein. By minimizing the amount of blood drawn and utilizing precise sampling techniques, researchers can obtain the necessary data while minimizing the stress and discomfort experienced by the animals