A guideline proposal for mice preparation and care in (18)F-FDG PET imaging

The experimental outcomes of small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with (18)F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) can be particularly compromised by animal preparation and care. Several works intend to improve research reporting and amplify the quality and reliability of published research. Though these works provide valuable information to plan and conduct animal studies, manuscripts describe different methodologies—standardization does not exist. Consequently, the variation in details reported can explain the difference in the experimental results found in the literature. Additionally, the resources and guidelines defining protocols for small-animal imaging are scarce, making it difficult for researchers to obtain and compare accurate and reproducible data. Considering the selection of suitable procedures key to ensure animal welfare and research improvement, this paper aims to prepare the way for a future guideline on mice preparation and care for PET imaging with (18)F-FDG. For this purpose, a global standard protocol was created based on recommendations and good practices described in relevant literature.