Husbandry of the nude: mouse in conventional and germfree environments.

The nude: mouse is a unique tool for immunologic studies. Its relatively short life span dictates the application of rigid environmental controls to increase longevity if the mouse is to assume the role of a practical experimental animal. In this paper we discussed the husbandry procedures employed to raise nude: mice in our facilities under conventional, defined flora, and germfree conditions. Conventional and defined flora mice were raised on laminar flow stay-clean rocks, and germfree nudes: were housed in self-contained germfree isolators. The major cause of morbidity and mortality among conventional and defined flora nude: mice was fulminating hepatitis. We presented evidence that the etiologic agent of the disease was mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Germfree nude: mice were completely free from viral and bacterial diseases