Swine as an Animal Model in Preclinical Research

Pig models are widely popular and useful in biomedical research. Göttingen minipigs are used in nonclinical pharmacology and preclinical toxicity studies for single-dose, repeat-dose, teratology, fertility evaluation, and for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies. Further, the model is used extensively in cardiovascular research. Dosing the pigs through various routes to perform intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, per-oral, ocular, intrathecal, intra-articular, and intravesicular routes requires expertise. The observation of toxicity to retrieve data shall be well defined. Anaesthesia, endotracheal intubation, ultrasound aided percutaneous intra-arterial catheterizations to gain access to perform angiography, coronary stent deployments and related studies require a combination of dedicated equipment and expertise. Blood collection via various routes for analysis of data on toxicity studies, observations on vital parameters, and clinical evaluation are important landmarks during toxicity evaluation in pig model. Dermal toxicity studies are also done using pigs as an animal model. This chapter gives important information with the aid of clear photographs on how studies can be set up using pigs, essentials on their housing, care and management, clinical observations to ascertain animal health, blood sampling for data generation and analysis, anaesthesia, endotracheal intubation, and some important surgeries.