A new biopsy technique for sampling subcutaneous fat in cattle

Abstract

A technique is described for the rapid biopsy sampling of subcutaneous fat in cattle. The technique involves freezing and folding back a small area of skin to allow removal of the underlying fat. The advantages of this technique are that it is rapid, animals do not have to be placed under general or local anaesthetic, no suturing is required and there is little disturbance to the animal. No significant difference in pesticide level was found between subcutaneous, peri-renal, and mesenteric fat, but a significant positive correlation (r = 0.82) was found between combined DDE and DDT levels in biopsy and carcase subcutaneous samples. This indicated that the residues measured from biopsy samples in this experiment were a good indication to levels in the rest of the animal.