Influence of different ways of euthanasisa on the activity of cholinesterases in the rat

Abstrakt

Influence of four euthanasia methods (decapitation, exsanguination via cardiocentesis following ether anaesthesia, Nembutal anaesthesia, or dip in CO2 atmosphere) on the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in the brain and in the blood of mature female rats have been studied. We observed significant decrease of activity of AChE in the whole blood in the group treated with Nembutal.

There were no significant changes in the activity of BChE with any method of euthanasia. Euthanasia in CO2 atmosphere was the best technique with respect to the results indicating unaffected activity of AChE and BChE in the periphery and the brain, as well as from the point of view of animal welfare.