SCREENING METHOD FOR URINARY BLADDER TUMOR DETECTION IN THE SYRIAN HAMSTER

Abstract

A screening method is described for the detection of urinary bladder tumors in Syrian hamsters. The urinary bladder is removed, stained with 0.2% methylene blue in sodium phosphate buffer, pinned out flat, and fixed for 1 h in 4% paraformaldehyde in sodium phosphate buffer. The urinary bladder is examined with a dissecting microscope for the presence of stained and/or irregular areas and nodules, which are subjected to histological analysis. The screening method may reduce the possibility of missing small lesions with regular gross examination or the need to examine over 100 slides per animal.