Table 1 Frequently used anaesthetics in small-animal imaging
Anaesthetic | Pharmacology, interaction with | Application route | Typical duration of anaesthesia | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Isoflurane, sevoflurane | Various neuroreceptors and other proteins involved in neurotransmission | Inhalation with air/oxygen | Controlled by inhalation | Isoflurane: Hepatotoxicity (staff!) |
Ketamine (ketamine/xylazine) | Various neuroreceptors and other proteins involved in neurotransmission | i.p. (rats, mice); i.m. (rats) | 20 to 30Â min (sleep 1 to 2Â h) | Xylazine against muscle rigidity |
Propofol | GABAA and various other proteins involved in neurotransmission | i.v. bolus + infusion | Controlled by infusion |  |
Chloral hydrate, alpha chloralose | Various neuroreceptors and other proteins involved in neurotransmission | i.p. | 1 to 2Â h (rats) | Alpha chloralose is the acetal between chloral hydrate and glucose |
Pentobarbital | GABAA receptor agonist | i.p. | 15 to 60Â min (mice), 70 to 100Â min (rats), (sleep 1 to 3Â h) | Â |
Fentanyl/fluanisone–midazolam (hypnorm–dormicum) | Opioid receptor (fentanyl), dopamine receptors (fluanisone), GABAA receptor (midazolam) | i.p. | 20 to 70 min (mice), 10 to 110 min (rats), (sleep 1 to 3 h) |  |
Urethane | Various neuroreceptors and other proteins involved in neurotransmission | i.p. | >24Â h | Modest influence on cardiovascular and respiratory systems |