A Method to Administer Agents to the Larynx in an Awake Large Animal

Purpose: This research note describes an adapted experimental methodology to administer an exogenous agent to the larynx and upper airway of awake animals. The exogenous agent could be a perturbation. In the current study, the agent was isotonic saline. Isotonic saline was selected because it is safe, of similar composition to extracellular fluid, and used in voice studies. The described approach allowed large animals such as pigs to be comfortably restrained without chemical sedation or anesthesia for extended periods while receiving the agent.

Method: Six Sinclair pigs were successfully trained with positive reinforcement to voluntarily enter and then be restrained in a Panepinto Sling. Once restrained, the pigs accepted a nose cone that delivered nebulized isotonic saline. This procedure was repeated 3 times per day for 20 days. At the end of the study, the larynx and airway tissues were excised and examined using histology and transmission electron microscopy.

Results: Pathology related to the procedure (i.e., nebulized inhaled isotonic saline or stress) was not identified in any examined tissues.

Conclusions: This methodology allowed for repeated application of exogenous agents to awake, unstressed animals. This method can be used repeatedly in the laboratory to test various therapeutics for safety, toxicity, and dosage. Future studies will specifically manipulate the type of agent to further our understanding of laryngeal pathobiology.