An evaluation of the feasibility of a transoral endotracheal intubation method in mice using a combination of commercially available research equipment

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 87; no. 6; pp. 589 - 593
• Main Authors: SASAKI, Kazumasu, ITO, Takuya, SHIGA, Takuya, UEMURA, Kazunori, ISHIKAWA, Tatsuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2025; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; commercially available research equipment; Feasibility Studies; feasibility study; Female; Intubation; Intubation, Intratracheal - instrumentation; Intubation, Intratracheal - methods; Intubation, Intratracheal - veterinary; Laboratory Animal Science; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Tracheostomy; transoral endotracheal intubation; transoral endotracheal intubation; commercially available research equipment; feasibility study; mice
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.25-0013

Endotracheal intubation plays a crucial role in airway management in mice. Transoral endotracheal intubation (TEI) offers a less invasive alternative to tracheostomy and is more ideal for chronic experiments. Despite the development of various TEI techniques in mice, the lack of accessible and well-established methods that do not require specialized equipment hinders routine research. We developed a feasible and highly successful method for TEI in C57BL/6JJcl mice using a combination of commercially available research equipment. A success rate of 97.5% was achieved within 21.2 ± 8.9 sec (mean [standard deviation]) with no observed complications in the 40 mice studied. This method simplifies TEI without specialized tools and provides practical guidance for consistent application in routine research settings.