Open AccessGenetic differences in nutritional performance of some specific pathogen‐free mice strains
Author(s) -
HOLMBERG EVA,
KREFT IVAN,
MUNCK LARS
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
hereditas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1601-5223
pISSN - 0018-0661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1975.tb01483.x
Subject(s) - pathogen , specific pathogen free , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , biology , immunology , virus
Commercial specific pathogen‐free (spf.) mice strains delivered to us display a common bacteriological flora which lacks ability to synthesize a heat‐sensitive growth factor, contained in barley meal. Some strains such as NMRI do not need this factor in their diets, but others like C57 are completely dependent. The growth factor seems to be produced in the mouse gut in a non‐spf. state. The factor is not likely to be one of the common vitamins, as these were added in excessive amounts. The results are discussed with regard to the suitability of using spf.‐animals in nutritional experiments.