Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences,CAMS PUMC,National Center of Technology Innovation for animal model,NHC Key Laboratory of Comparative Medicine,National Human Diseases Animal Model Resource Center
【Objective】To establish a germ-free Chinese hamster model using cesarean section purification. 【Methods】Female SPF-grade Chinese hamster were selected for mating with males at a 1:1 ratio, after which males were separated from females post-copulation. The surrogate mother rats were introduced into the environment 1~2 days prior to the donor mothers. During parturition, pregnant Chinese hamster underwent hysterectomy in a super-clean workbench and were subsequently transferred into isolation units for purification. The uteri were dissected to obtain neonatal pups, which were then fostered by germ-free ICR mice. After successful fostering, the pups were transferred to isolation units for further rearing. The sterility of the isolation units was tested monthly. 【Results】Two cesarean sections were performed; the initial fostering attempt failed, but the second attempt was successful, yielding nine pups with a survival rate of 56 %. All germ-free Chinese hamster met the standards set by GB/T 14926.41-2001. 【Conclusion】Germ-free ICR mice were used as foster mothers through cesarean section purification technology, successfully achieving microbial decontamination and establishing a germ-free Chinese hamster model.