Effect of substitute milk on growth and breeding rates of hysterectomy derived guinea pigs neonates

In this study, considering the normal ingredients in guinea pig's milk, by using cow milk, mixture ofvitamins and minerals, a milk substitute was prepared and sterilized by autoclaving and filtration methods.in food analysis of produced milk, the important substances values, such as protein, fat and ash, weresuitable. milk substitute was fed to four groups of newborn's guinea pigs that were obtained byhysterectomy from out bred color pirbright conventional parents, and maintained in the sterile environmentinside laminar flow. the health, growth and reproductive parameters were evaluated during 6 months infour treated groups at the suckling age (milk substitute) and solid pellets feeding stage and these valueswere compared with four coequal's control groups. the results show, all young fed with substitute milk,reached to puberty at normal age (3-4 months old ), the males, had the normal fecundity and the duration ofpregnancy in all females were in the normal range (22-25 weeks), litter size (4-5) and birth weight (70-100g)were in the normal ranges. in this study the preparation of suitable substitute milk and also a part of themethod and protocol for production of the specific pathogen free (spf) animals were introduced and putinto the practice.