This article describes the procedure for catheterizing the jugular vein in mice to facilitate intravenous injections of experimental agents. The method allows for the delivery of fluorescent tracers and drugs directly to the head region, which is crucial for various imaging studies.
The jugular vein is a paired vasculature in the neck that transports deoxygenated blood from the brain, face, and neck to the heart. Through the jugular vein, experimental agents such as fluorescent tracers and drugs are delivered intravenously to the head region.
To catheterize the right jugular vein, place an anesthetized mouse in the supine position on a heating pad. Prepare the mouse by removing the fur surrounding the neck region.
Make a skin incision right to the ventral midline, starting beneath the lower mandibular region and extending to the sternum. The jugular vein is present adjacent to the pectoralis muscle.
Next, take a catheter pre-filled with a warm, sterile, physiological saline and insert a needle into it. Penetrate the catheter-needle assembly through the pectoralis muscle into the jugular vein. The pectoralis muscle acts as a compression point and prevents bleeding at the site of vein injection.
Gently remove the needle from the catheter and connect a syringe containing fluorescent tracer solution to the catheter. Use a drop of glue to secure the catheter in its position.
The catheterized mouse is now ready for the intravenous injection of fluorescent tracers into the jugular vein.
To begin, transport the mouse to the imaging room. Switch on the microscope and computer and set up the required parameters. Once the mouse is completely anesthetized, place the mouse on a heated plate warmed to 37 degrees Celsius for all following manipulations.
Shave the head and throat of the mouse, and apply the gel to the eyes to prevent dryness. Place the mouse on its back and fix the interior legs with surgical tape to stretch the throat. After disinfecting the throat, make a 0.7 to 1 centimeter incision over the right or left jugular vein using scissors, and stretch the adjacent connective tissue to expose the external jugular vein and top of the pectoral muscle.
Fill the catheter with warm, sterile physiological saline. Penetrate the catheter through the pectoral muscle, and then insert the catheter into the vein. Gently remove the needle.
Connect the syringe with the fluorescent tracers, and inject the dead volume of the catheter. Place a drop of surgical glue to stabilize the catheter. Carefully return the mouse to a prone position.
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