Some data on establishing a specific-pathogen-free guinea pig colony

Detailed procedures for the germfree delivery of guinea pigs using a "dry hysterectomy" technic were given; 320 animals were alive after hysterectomy, but there was a subsequent loss of 37% of the animals, mainly during the first and second weeks. Their specific-pathogen-free maintenance, feeding, and association with an anerobic flora were described. Feeding 3 times a day vs twice a day decreased mortality from 48% to 20%.