FLUOROPHOTOMETRY WITH A SMALL ANIMAL ADAPTER

The usefulness of the Fluorotron Master(R) fluorophotometer fitted wit h a small animal adapter was evaluated with tree shrews, We also deter mined that the optimal measurement parameters for these animals, which are regarded as promising for experimental use in ophthalmic research , are: fluorescein-Na concentration, 0.5x10(-9) to 1.0x10(-6) g/mL; fl uorescein-Na dosage, 2 mg/kg; measurement time, 30 minutes after injec tion of fluorescein-Na into the ocular compartments. Results indicated that ultrafiltration for the measurement of protein-unbound fluoresce in can be done with a hematocrit tube and a minimal blood sample, ther eby reducing the impact of the sampling on the animal's general condit ion, The Fluorotron Master(R) with the small animal adapter can offer advantages in estimating the blood-ocular barrier permeability using d isease models in tree shrews.