Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new method for obtaining blood from a small mammal without injuring the animal: use of Triatomid bugs

  • Short Communications
  • Published:
Experientia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

By means of hungry Triatomid bugs, samples of blood (40–200μl) can be obtained from small mammals, such as bats, without causing any harm to the animals. The blood can be extracted from the gaster of the bug immediately after the bug has finished sucking. The method was successfully used for measuring the energy budget by the doubly labeled water method, and for obtaining material for lymphocyte cultures, and may prove useful in other fields, too.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bear, G. M., J. Mamm.47 (1966) 340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bear, G. M., and McLean, R. G., J. Mamm.53 (1972) 231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gustafson, A. W., Lab. Anim. Sci.26 (1976) 97.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mills, K. W., Petit, M. G., Lauerman, L. H., and Walton, T., Lab. Anim. Sci.26 (1976) 507.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lopez, H., and Navia, J. M., Lab. Anim. Sci.27 (1977) 522.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Keegan, D. J., Lab. Anim. Sci.29 (1979) 402.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Stickrod, G., Ebaugh, T., and Garnett, C., Lab. Anim. Sci.31 (1981) 87.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bullock, L. P., Lab. Anim. Sci.33 (1983) 70.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Gustafson, A. W., and Damassa, D. A., J. Mamm.66 (1985) 173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kennedy, J. S., and Mittler, T. E., Nature17 (1953) 528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. We are very obliged to Dr G. Schaub/Freiburg for providing us with numerous Triatomid bugs from his laboratory breeding stock.

  12. Rauch, J. C., and Beatty, D. D., Can. J. Zool.53 (1975) 207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wigglesworth, U. B., Proc. R. Soc. (B)131 (1943) 313.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Bauer, P., Guggenheim, R., Hecker, H., Smit, J. D. G., and Winterthaler, K. H., Experientia35 (1979) 955.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Smit, J. D. G., Guggenheim, R., and Bauer, P. G., Experientia39 (1983) 1335.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Lifson, N., and McClintock, R., J. theor. Biol.12 (1966) 46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Helversen, O. v., and Reyer, U., Oecologia63 (1984) 178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. LiqueminR, Hoffmann-La Roche, 10,000 IU/ml

  19. Volleth, M., Genetica66 (1985) 231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. McCracken, G. F., and Bradbury, J. W., Science198 (1977) 303.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Herd, R. M., J. Mamm.64 (1983) 701.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hauser, J., and Zuber, N., Revue suisse Zool.90 (1983) 857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut, Staudtstrasse 5, D-8520, Erlangen, Federal Republic of Germany

    O. v. Helversen

  2. Institut für Humangenetik, Schwabachanlage 10, D-8520, Erlangen, Federal Republic of Germany

    M. Volleth

  3. Calcagno 642, 1609, Boulogne, Argentina

    J. Núñez

Authors
  1. O. v. Helversen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Volleth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Núñez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

M. Volleth is very much obliged to Prof. Dr R. A. Pfeiffer for giving her the opportunity to work at the Institute of Human Genetics.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

v. Helversen, O., Volleth, M. & Núñez, J. A new method for obtaining blood from a small mammal without injuring the animal: use of Triatomid bugs. Experientia 42, 809–810 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01941531

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01941531

Key words

Search

Navigation