Development of an animal model for Mycoplasma-related reproductive failure

Pregnant hamsters and mice were injected ip with various doses of Mycoplasma hominis, M fermentans, and M arthritidis, all of which may have a potential role in human or animal reproductive failure. Inoculations were made near the completion of each trimester, and the products of conception were removed by hysterectomy 24 hr before anticipated delivery. Resorptions and birth defects were tabulated. Preliminary data on 1869 fetuses indicate that BALB mice merit further evaluation as a possible model for mycoplasma-related reproductive failure.