THE GERM-FREE PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGY
Stage 01 Ovagen use SPF birds and place them in a special Isolator. The egg is removed from the Shell Gland/Uterus under strict Germ-Free conditions. The first generation GF eggs are premature and require special conditions which are provided in an Incubating & Hatching Isolator. Once hatched the chicken is moved to a Large GF Mobile Isolator (~35 birds). From this stage onwards, GF eggs are laid naturally by hens.
Stage 02 Germ-Free eggs are hatched in small Isolators and the young GF chicks are then transferred to large GF rooms for rearing and breeding. In these rooms, chicks grow into adults and breed naturally enabling the commercial production of GF eggs / products. The second and subsequent generations of GF eggs are laid normally and are fully mature (do not require special incubation conditions) ready for customer use. In the GF rooms, hens and cocks are housed in traditional deep-litter system (with automatic nest boxes) under fully aseptic conditions. Feed is sterilised by irradiation.
Stage 03 The Germ-Free eggs are used for primary cell culture (PCC) vaccine production, research and development, whole egg vaccine production or adventitious agent testing.
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WHAT IS GERM-FREE?
Completely, 100% free of bacteria
- No gut flora, no skin bacteria/fungi/parasites
- Exceed all SPF standards for viruses & mycoplasma
- Unique production system (ultra-level of biosecurity) for management of flocks
- Not susceptible to disease outbreaks (full biosecurity - even against HPAI)
- Assured continuity of supply
How are they derived?
- GF mammals are derived by caesarean section into sterile environment
- GF birds are derived by similar process removing the egg before it enters the cloaca. SPF birds are used as parents
- The first-generation GF egg is premature and requires specific incubation conditions
Subsequent generations breed naturally.
Maintained in microbiologically sterile environment
- HEPA filtered positive pressure air
- Sterilised bedding, food and water (gamma irradiation)
- Housed in specialised isolators or biosecure rooms (up to 5,000 birds)
- Traditional deep-litter system of housing (no cages)
- Keep birds and eggs free from infection (maximum biosecurity)
- Highly automated system including egg collection & packing
- Daily monitoring for absence of bacteria (also provides instant warning of any loss of SPF status)
GF Egg Production Characteristics
- GF chickens breed naturally, similar productivity to SPF parent stock
- Hatchability meets or exceeds SPF (mean hatchability for GF >92%)
- Exceed USDA Memo 800.65 and European Pharmacopoeia requirements
- cGMP compliant
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