Method Article

A Mouse Tail Snip Procedure for Peripheral Blood Collection and Plasma Isolation

July 8th, 2025

In This Article

Abstract

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Source: Coats, J. S. et al., Expression of Exogenous Cytokine in Patient-derived Xenografts via Injection with a Cytokine-transduced Stromal Cell Line. J. Vis. Exp. (2017)

In this video, we demonstrate a tail-snipping procedure in a mouse model to collect peripheral blood. The collected blood is subsequently subjected to centrifugation to separate plasma, which can be used for further experiments.

Protocol

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All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Serial Blood Collection and Plasma Monitoring for Exogenous Human Cytokine in Mice

  1. Blood collection via tail snip
    1. Disinfect the biosafety hood and assemble the mouse restrainer, scissors, and other tools/supplies for the procedure.
    2. Place the mouse in a restrainer and secure the tube to minimize mouse movement.
    3. Disinfect the tail and surgical scissors with isopropyl alcohol. Apply topical ane....

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Disclosures

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No conflicts of interest declared.

Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Animal Implantable Nano Transponder with CanulaTrovanID-100B(1.25)
EMLA lidocaine anesthetic cream (obtain by presciption through animal care facility)perscriptionperscription
BD ½ cc LO-DOSE U-100 Insulin Syringe 28G½BD#329461
BD Microtainer Tubes with K2EDTABD#365974
CentrifugeBeckman CoulterAlegra X-15R
FisherBrand Capillary Tubes (Heparinized)Fisher Scientific22-260-950
HemocytometerFisher02-671-6
MACSQuant Analyzer 10Miltenyi Biotec130-096-343
Mouse Pie CageBraintree Scientific, Inc.MPC-1
Mouse Tail Illuminator RestrainerBraintree Scientific, Inc.MTI STD
Pistol Grip ImplanterTrovanIM-300(1.25)
"NSG mice" NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ, male or female, age 6 – 8 weeksJAX Mice# 005557

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Tags

Mouse Tail SnipPeripheral Blood CollectionPlasma IsolationHeparinized Capillary TubeEDTA AnticoagulantBlood CentrifugationPlasma SeparationAnimal RestrainerSurgical ScissorsCapillary Action

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