Reducing the invasiveness of obtaining blood-born measures in animals (2002)

Cook, C.

Abstract

An often-found confounding problem is that the experimental techniques may themselves elicit stress responses in the animal. In particular, many changes of interest are reflected in analytes in the blood. Collection of blood is often stressful and mildly noxious. .. To overcome these inherent limitations, I am developing a new technique that combines low frequency ultrasound with a small electric current, termed electrosonophoresis. ... The technique appears to allow many of the analytes [hormones, amino acids, sugars, free fatty acids, immunoglobulins, lactate, small proteins] present in the blood to be collected and measured at the skin surface with a linear relationship to blood levels seen. ... Successful readings have been made from sheep, cattle, dogs, rodents, horses, birds, and sharks without any apparent ill effects. In humans, the method is without sensation and innocuous.