Revised surgical procedure for the derivation of gnotobiotic dogs.

A revised surgical procedure for derivation of gnotobiotic pups was described. Pregnant bitches (n = 11) were sedated and anesthetized (epidural anesthesia). Fetal pups were removed from the uterine horns and then transferred to the isolation units where they were removed from the sacs and stimulated. The method compares favorably with the previously used hysterectomy procedure.