GERMFREE MICE REARED ON AN ANTIGEN-FREE DIET

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (1) , 38-45
Abstract
Germ-free mice were fed through 3 generations a water soluble, chemically defined, antigen-free diet with a supplement of oil and oil-soluble vitamins. Second generation animals were compared to germ-free and specific-pathogen-free mice fed a natural-type commercial diet. The ceca of the germ-free mice fed the antigen-free diet were smaller than those of germ-free mice fed the natural-type diet but larger than those of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet. Their mean spleen size was between that of germ-free and specific-pathogen-free fed the natural-type diet, but the differences were of borderline significance. Germ-free mice fed the antigen-free diet had fewer leukocytes than the other groups. Their serum immunoglobulin [Ig] G level was 1/10 that of germ-free mice fed the natural-type diet and 1/100 that of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet. Their serum IgM was only slightly below germ-free natural-type diet levels. IgA could be detected in the intestinal wall and contents of specific-pathogen-free mice fed the natural-type diet but not in either of the germ-free groups.

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