SOP 10: Doubly-labelled water – field procedures for animals
(This is an abbreviated version of the procedure, taken from
"Doubly-labelled water Theory and practice", John Speakman,
1997) Dosing subjects is performed by injection or by oral
dosing. There are four alternative routes for injection:
intravenous (IV), intra-muscular (IM), intra-peritoneal (IP) and
sub-cutaneous (SC). Intravenous dosing is a skilled procedure
and, apart from the legislative requirements, requires training
from a vet before you attempt it yourself. It is probably
unfeasible in animals weighing less than 100g, and difficult in
larger animals without some form of restraint or sedation.
Intra-muscular injections have been used in many studies, but
these may reduce the activity of the animal post injection due
to muscle damage at the injection site. Intra-peritoneal
injection is commonly used, but should be avoided for female
animals undergoing reproduction: for example, female mammals
that are pregnant, or birds and reptiles carrying