What is the meaning of pathogen free?

Specific-pathogen free: A term that is applied to animals reared for use in laboratory experiments which indicates that the animals are known to be free of germs that can cause disease.

What is the difference between germ-free and specific pathogen free?

A conventionalized mouse generally refers to a germ-free mouse that is colonized with the fecal or intestinal microbiome of a non-germ-free mouse. Modern laboratory mice are often referred to as specific-pathogen free (SPF), meaning that a defined list of mouse pathogens is excluded from these animal colonies.

What is a specific pathogen free mouse?

A specific pathogen-free (SPF) rodent colony contains mice or rats that are known not to be infected with any members of a specific, defined list of pathogenic microorganisms and parasites. The animals are not free of all bacterial and viral species, i.e., they are not gnotobiotic.

What is pathogen free egg?

SPF is an abbreviation of Specific Pathogen Free and refers to eggs from flocks that have been confirmed to be free of specific disease pathogens. In Europe SPF Eggs are used for the production of all live and selected inactivated vaccines of chicken embryo origin for veterinary use.

What is the aim of a pathogen?

A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. The term is most often used for agents that disrupt the normal physiology of a multicellular animal or plant. However, pathogens can infect unicellular organisms from all of the biological kingdoms.

Do germ-free mice live longer?

Mice Raised in a Germ-Free Environment Exhibit Less Age-Related Inflammation and Longer Average Lifespans. Researchers raised mice in a germ-free environment, and found that they did not suffer anywhere near the same age-related increase in inflammation, and the average life span increased.

What is specific pathogen resistant?

SPF means that the animals have been assured of being free from specific pathogens. Whether a particular animal or strain is genetically resistant to a specific pathogen is independent of its present status.

How do I make my mouse germ-free?

To create a germ-free mouse, an embryo is created through in vitro fertilization and then transplanted into a germ-free mother. If this method is not available, a mouse can be born through cesarean birth, but this comes with a higher risk of contamination.

How much does a germ-free mouse cost?

C57BL/6. BALB/c. Swiss-Webster (outbred) IL-10 knockout (B6….Germ-Free Animal Procurement Rates.

DESCRIPTION RATE EFFECTIVE
Rag1/KO Germ-Free Mice < 8 weeks (per animal) $ 64.55 07/01/2021
Rag1/KO Germ-Free Mice > 8 weeks (per animal) $ 80.69 07/01/2021
Germ-Free Rates
5-pack fecal kit $ 16.83 07/01/2021