A New Method for the Chronic Catheterization of the Hepatic Portal Vein in the Chicken

ONE method of investigating the gastrointestinal absorption of substances involves a comparison of the levels in the systemic and in the hepatic portal blood before the compound reaches the liver or other tissues. Such studies require a chronic catheterization of the portal vein to facilitate periodic sampling of blood in the unanesthetized animal. Methods for obtaining blood samples from the hepatic portal vein of cattle (Conner and Fries, 1960), sheep (Annison et al., 1955), dogs (Jungblut et al., 1955; Shoemaker et al., 1959), cats (Bessman et al., 1948), and baboons (Crossley and McColl, 1967) have been described. Aramaki and Weiss (1962) reported catheterizing the portal vein in birds by way of duodenal vein (pancreatico-duodenal vein) in the chicken. The present paper reports a method for chronic catheterization of hepatic portal vein by way of coccigeo-mesenteric vein in the domestic fowl. METHODS Fourteen White Leghorn laying hens averaging 1400 g. body . . .