Abstract: Objective To Explore methods of foster nursing in the cleansing of gerbils through cesarotomy. Methods Pregnant gerbils for cesarotomy in super-clean bench and the newborn litters were fostered by mother NIH mice and SD rat which have 1-2 litters, skillful suck in barrier system. The litters interval ,the survival rate and the weaning rate of litters which reared by foster nursing were detected, the growth curve of litters for 1-4 weeks were drawn. The baby gerbils were detected at 60-day-old following the state standard for clean mouse. Results The litter interval of gerbils were 30.14±4.40 (22~38) d, the survival rate and weaning rate of litter gerbils by foster nursing were over 50%. There were no significant difference in the growth curve between normal suckled gerbils and gerbils by foster nursing for 1~4 weeks. These gerbils were in accordance with the state standard for clean mouse. Conclusion The cleansing of gerbils can be obtained through cesarotomy and foster nursing by using mother ICR mouse and SD rat.

Key words: Gerbil, Cesarotomy, Mouse, Rat, Foster nursing