Gnotobiotic calves: derivation, maintenance, Thiry-Vella loop preparation, and ethylene oxide gas sterilization.
Twenty-four pregnant Holstein cows were used to develop techniques and procedures to obtain calves by hysterotomy and to maintain them in a closed gnotobiotic environment (sterile plastic-film isolators) for as long as 10 days for infectious disease research. Thiry-Vella loop preparation for obtaining intestinal loop secretions was done in a surgical isolator and was successful in 12 of 14 gnotobiotic calves. Ethylene oxide gas was effective in sterilizing heat-labile and moisture-sensitive instruments and equipment.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000382:microbiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000662:veterinary; D005027:Ethylene Oxide; D005260:Female; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods
D005027:Ethylene Oxide