Surgical studies in immunocompromised mice demand a unique combination of technical precision, strict aseptic control, and specialized post-operative care. At Preclinical Research Associates (PRA), we bring deep expertise to these complex models—helping clients achieve high success rates and reproducible outcomes in even the most fragile animal cohorts.

Why Immunocompromised Mice?

Immunodeficient mouse models—such as NSG, NOD SCID, Rag1/2-/-, and nude mice—are essential for:

  • Human tumor xenograft studies
  • Gene or cell therapy research
  • Humanized immune system models
  • Infectious disease and vaccine development

These models offer translational relevance but also present unique surgical challenges due to their fragile immune systems, thin skin, sensitivity to stress, and increased risk of infection.

PRA’s Surgical Capabilities with Immunocompromised Mice

With over a decade of experience in advanced microsurgical procedures, PRA provides:

  • Custom protocol design for your specific strain and study goals
  • Aseptic surgery techniques validated for immunocompromised strains
  • Dedicated sterile instrumentation and heat-controlled surgery platforms
  • Micro-dose anesthesia protocols for faster recovery and minimal stress
  • Expert vascular catheterization, organ manipulation, tumor implantations, and more
  • High post-surgical survival rates even in fragile NSG or NOD SCID mice

Whether you’re implanting patient-derived xenografts (PDX), performing tumor resections, or placing vascular catheters for infusion or sampling—PRA’s technical team ensures each model is created with consistency and care.

Aseptic Technique is Non-Negotiable

Surgery in immunodeficient mice requires stringent aseptic technique. Our SOPs include:

  • Surgical staff trained specifically in immunocompromised handling
  • HEPA-filtered surgical field preparation and sterilized draping
  • Use of autoclaved or gas-sterilized instruments for each animal
  • Sterile injectable compounds and flushes
  • Pre- and post-op antibiotic protocols tailored to strain sensitivity

❤️ Animal Welfare = Better Data

PRA takes pride in maintaining high standards of animal welfare, which is especially critical in immunodeficient models. Our post-op care protocol includes:

  • Temperature-controlled recovery
  • Analgesic regimens appropriate for fragile strains
  • Daily health scoring with trained veterinary oversight
  • Individual housing and dietary modifications as needed

This ensures low morbidity, reduced variability, and cleaner datasets for your therapeutic or biomarker studies.

Real-World Outcomes

In recent studies using NSG and NOD SCID mice:

Surgical Procedure  Model           Post-Op Survival (14 Days) Complication Rate
Jugular catheterization NSG 93% <5%
Tumor xenograft Nude 96% <2%
     Femoral infusion catheter   Rag1-/- 90% <4%

 

These data underscore our commitment to refinement, reproducibility, and results.

Ready to Support Your Program

Whether you’re launching a new PDX model or need support scaling up your immune-deficient surgical studies, PRA offers:

  • Rapid study startup timelines
  • Flexible, collaborative planning
  • GLP-aligned documentation
  • On-site services

📩 Let’s connect to discuss how PRA can support your next immunocompromised model project.
Email us at info@prasurgical.com or visit www.prasurgical.com.

PRA – Surgical Precision for Sensitive Models.