A simple index for the measurement of the runting syndrome and its use in the study of the influence of the gut flora in its production

Abstract

This communication describes a simple, sensitive index for the measurement of the runting syndrome. Evidence is presented that the bacterial flora of the gut and endotoxin derived therefrom may play a role in induction of the runting syndrome. There was no evidence of bacterial invasion of runted animals. Neomycin sulphate given by gavage reduced the intensity of the runting syndrome. Furthermore, bacterial endotoxin produced runts sharing many of the features found in runts produced by the graft-versus-host reaction, cortisone acetate, bacterial vaccine, neonatal reovirus 3 infection and neonatal thymectomy.