Rearing of germfree rabbits

The present work describes in detail experimental procedures and conditions required for rearing of germfree rabbits. Newborn germfree rabbits were obtained using the “wet” hysterectomy technique. The animals were successfully maintained under germfree conditions up to four months after delivery in flexible plastic isolators. Infant rabbits were first fed a sterile VA2-b diet and after weaning, a modifled diet L-478 according to Reddyet al. (1965). Both diets were shown to be suitable as the development of megacoecum was significantly reduced. The infant germfree rabbits were characterized by a good general clinical condition and body weights were comparable to those found in their conventional counterparts fed mother’s milk.