News & Events

Necropsy: Why Use a CRO for Your Pre-Clinical Research

When you are involved in preclinical research, it can be beneficial to use a CRO, or contract research organization. The first step has to do with necropsy, and can be a necessary step when determining whether a drug is capable of being tested in people.

Outsourcing: How Important are SOPs?

As a laboratory that deals in a specific science, you're perhaps starting to realize it's impossible to do testing on your own without some help. Whether its histology, biotechnology, or the pharma industry, your reputation is on the line if a particular study goes awry due to staff inefficiencies.

Necropsy Techniques: How to Properly Fix Gut Sections

Standardization of necropsy techniques is important for consistency and comparability between animals and dose groups. It also aids in minimizing the amount of autolysis that may occur during necropsy, which is particularly important in susceptible organs like the liver, pancreas, kidney and especially the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An abundance of resident bacteria along the tract leave organs vulnerable to tissue destruction caused by advanced autolysis. Although there will be some low-level, inevitable autolysis that occurs immediately post-mortem, an experienced veterinary pathologist will recognize these intrinsic, enzyme-induced changes and will be able to evaluate the tissues as planned. However, more pronounced artifacts that occur with subsequent, bacterial-derived autolysis could make assessment of pathological tissue changes next to impossible. Precautions should be employed to avoid this detrimental, secondary autolysis during the necropsy; the most effective of which is to shorten the interval between time of death and tissue fixation.

Preclinical CRO: From Necropsy to Specimen Storage

Market demand for outsourced preclinical research services is growing. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies need contract research organization (CRO) partners who can help them maximize productivity and efficiency in research and development. Faced with a variety of cost pressures, such as patent expiries and more competition from generics, pharmaceutical companies are building strategic relationships with CROs at an increasing rate.

How Proper Necropsy Techniques Ensure Quality Pathology Services

The objective of the necropsy is to examine the animal macroscopically, identifying any lesions that may help the pathologist diagnose what may have been taking place within the body before the time of death. The prosector will dissect the tissues from the animal and place them in fixative for histology. Once slides have been prepared, the study pathologist evaluates the slides and explains clinical and laboratory findings that may have been found in specific organs. Use of careful and attentive necropsy techniques will yield the most accurate interpretation of results and will ensure that clinically relevant observations are not overlooked.

Upcoming Events

SOT

Date: March 10-14
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Stop by our booth #717 and attend our sessions:

  • Immunotoxicity II Poster Session,
    March 12 from 11:45am - 1:45pm
  • Informational Session:
    “Through the Lens: Translational Insights in Ocular Toxicology” on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 11:00am–12:20pm

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