Ovariectomy (OVX)
| Available in: Rats and Mice | Anesthetics | Analgesic |
| Pre-Operative Procedures | Intra-Operative Care | Post-Operative Care |
Surgical Preparation
The animal is anesthetized and clipped over the abdominal region. Sterile eye lubricant is placed in both eyes, and the clipped skin area over the abdomen is surgically prepared. The animal is placed in dorsal recumbency on a surgery board fitted with a sterile board drape. Analgesic is administered.
Surgical Description
The surgical site is draped with a sterile drape. To expose the ovaries, a midline, longitudinal incision is made to the skin of the lower lumbar region, and transverse muscle incisions are made directly over both ovaries. The ovarian fat is exposed through the transverse incision, and suture is tied around the upper uterine horn and the collateral blood supply to the ovary. The blood vessels, the uterine horn above the suture, and any attached fat are removed. The remainder of the uterine horn is returned to the abdominal cavity. The procedure is repeated to remove the remaining ovary.
Surgical Closing
The dorsal incisions are closed with approved closing materials (suture or stainless steel clips), and the surgery sites are treated with an approved disinfectant followed by an alcohol swabbing.
Sham
A standard sham ovariectomy model is prepared as described above with regards to surgical site preparation, dissection of the lumbar region, exposure of the ovaries and ovarian fat, closing, and surgical site disinfection; however, no tissue is removed.
