Voluntary intake of paracetamol-enriched drinking water and its influence on the success of embryo transfer in mice. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fleischmann, Thea; Arras, Margarete; Sauer, Mareike; Saleh, Lanja; Rülicke, Thomas; Jirkof, Paulin
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 111(2017)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Acetaminophen -- Paracetamol -- Embryo transfer -- Water intake -- Mice; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.12.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Abstract: Embryo transfer (ET) in mice is a key technique in biomedical research, and is carried out mostly via surgery by transferring founder embryos into pseudo-pregnant recipient females. To cover post-operative analgesic requirements in surrogate mothers, oral self-administration of painkillers has several advantages, but its effectiveness has also been criticized as voluntary ingestion of the drug can be uncertain. Additionally, concerns about potential negative side effects of analgesics on embryo viability and development have been raised. In this regard, we investigated the impact of orally administered analgesia by comparing the outcome of ET with and without paracetamol in the drinking water (3.5 mg/ml) of surrogate mothers. Water intake increased significantly when paracetamol, as a sweet-tasting formulation (children's syrup), was added to the drinking water. Measurements of paracetamol concentrations in blood serum confirmed reasonable drug uptake. Success rate of ETs and the body weight of newborn offspring were not different whether paracetamol was administered for two days after surgery or not. In conclusion, paracetamol in drinking water was consumed voluntarily in substantial doses, without detectable side-effects, by freshly operated surrogate mothers, and can therefore be recommended as a feasible method for providing analgesic treatment for surgical ET in mice. Highlights: Impact of paracetamol on gestation and embryonic development is investigated. Water intake increases when a sweet tasting paracetamol-formulation is added. Embryo transfer and development are not hampered by paracetamol-administration. Oral self-administration of paracetamol allows stress-free pain treatment in mice.