ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the breeding and care and management of nude mice based on genetic and microbiological control. Genetic control is achieved by genetic management, while microbiological control requires not only control of the animals themselves, but also simultaneous microbiological control of the rearing environment of the animals. Based on recent breeding results for nude mice and experience gained from experimentation using these animals, it has become possible to handle nudes in the same way as ordinary euthymic animals by means of strict microbiological control in accordance with the specific pathogen free (SPF) production technology. The quality of the care and the microbiological environment of nude mice, and the microbiological quality itself, have to be kept at a high level in order to obtain reliable experimental data. Consideration of the problems indicates the great importance of microbiological control in the rearing systems.
