Germ-Free Mice

In comparison to conventional SPF mice, GF mice exhibit notable physiological and morphological changes, such as an enlarged cecum, thinned intestinal musculature, shrunken liver and heart, weakened innate immune response, and high susceptibility to microbial infections.

Germ-free mice serve as a pivotal tool for elucidating the causal links between the microbiome and disease, as well as for deciphering the underlying mechanisms by which microbes modulate host physiology. Lacking all microorganisms, these models provide a pristine baseline for investigation, enabling researchers to either study them in their native state or introduce specific microbial consortia to validate targeted hypotheses.