RE: biogenic amines

Magil, Sheila (smagil@bioninc.com)
Thu, 9 Dec 1999 07:41:31 -0500

When I was using focussed microwave to kill rats for studies on
acetylcholine in the brain, we used a microwave that had been specially
modified for that purpose. In our hands even decapitating straight into
liquid nitrogen was not sufficient to stop degradation of the
neurotransmitters. I would be happy to discuss this off-line in greater
detail if you would like or continue to discuss it on-line if it is of
general interest.

Sheila G. Magil
Bion Inc.
617-873-0963
smagil@bioninc.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Katheryn.Resing@Colorado.EDU
[mailto:Katheryn.Resing@Colorado.EDU]
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 1999 6:15 AM
To: Recipients of ABRF List
Subject: Re: biogenic amines

I would be concerned using microwave to kill rats--its not
likely to be a
method approved by most animal facilities. When you put a
freshly
cervically dislocated mouse into a microwave, there can be a
lot of
movement of the animal, suggesting that the nerves are
firing. What about
plunging the head into liquid nitrogen, then using a small
hobby drill with
a saw blade to cut the head open and extract the brain?

Katheryn Resing