The ‘normalization’ of germ-free guineapigs with host-specific caecal microflora

Abstract

Hysterectomy-derived germ-free guineapigs were given colonization-resistant caecal flora from mice (mCRF) or microflora obtained from the caecum of an antibiotic-decontaminated conventional guineapig (gpCRF) and compared with guinea pigs raised conventionally with the sow. Body weight and the following intestinal parameters were determined for the groups: colonization resistance (CR) to Escherichia coli, relative caecal weight (RCW), β-aspartylglycine (faeces), volatile fatty adds (caecum) and bile acids (faeces). mCRF guineapigs showed values quite different from control animals for CR and RCW, indicating the unsuitability of mouse CRF for normalizing guineapigs. In gpCRF guineapigs CR and RCW values were comparable with controls, indicating the suitability of the guineapig flora for normalizing guineapigs. mCRF guineapigs housed with gpCRF guinea pigs, showed an improvement in CR and RCW, yielding values found in control animals. © 1989, Royal Society of Medicine Press. All rights reserved.