[Intestinal flora of mice (author's transl)]

The literature on the build-up of the intestinal flora of mice in the course of time is reviewed. The intestine of the germ-free animal is colonized by large numbers of bacteria as rapidly as within a few days after birth. The ingestion of solid food and weaning are found to be times at which new species appear and others diminish. In addition, the relationship between microflora and host is discussed. Three types of relationship are described. The morphological forms present at various sites in the intestine are illustrated on the basis of personal scanning electron-microscopy. Finally, the effects of the presence of the intestinal flora on the host are briefly discussed.