Which practice is emphasized to prevent contamination when handling donor females and foster mothers in axenic pup production?

Which practice is emphasized to prevent contamination when handling donor females and foster mothers in axenic pup production?

• A. Aseptic technique
• B. Use of shared equipment
• C. Non-sterile handling
• D. Non-isolated housing

Answer: (A)

Maintaining sterility through aseptic technique is essential when handling donor females and foster mothers in axenic pup production. Aseptic technique means performing procedures with sterile instruments and supplies, using sterile gloves and surfaces, and working in a clean, controlled environment to prevent introducing microorganisms. This includes sterilizing tools, disinfecting work areas, using dedicated or properly sterilized equipment, and changing gloves or avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces when moving between animals. The goal is to keep the pups germ-free, so any step that could bring in bacteria, fungi, or other microbes must be avoided. Choosing shared equipment, non-sterile handling, or non-isolated housing would increase the risk of contamination, compromising the axenic status of the pups. Shared tools can transfer microbes between animals; handling without sterility introduces microbes directly; and non-isolated housing exposes the animals to environmental microbes.

Maintaining sterility through aseptic technique is essential when handling donor females and foster mothers in axenic pup production. Aseptic technique means performing procedures with sterile instruments and supplies, using sterile gloves and surfaces, and working in a clean, controlled environment to prevent introducing microorganisms. This includes sterilizing tools, disinfecting work areas, using dedicated or properly sterilized equipment, and changing gloves or avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces when moving between animals. The goal is to keep the pups germ-free, so any step that could bring in bacteria, fungi, or other microbes must be avoided.

Choosing shared equipment, non-sterile handling, or non-isolated housing would increase the risk of contamination, compromising the axenic status of the pups. Shared tools can transfer microbes between animals; handling without sterility introduces microbes directly; and non-isolated housing exposes the animals to environmental microbes.