axenic /axen·ic/ (a-zen´ik) not contaminated by or associated with any foreign organisms; used in reference to pure cultures of microorganisms or to germ-free animals. Cf. gnotobiotic.
a·xen·ic ( -z n  k, -z nk)adj. Not contaminated by or associated with any other living organisms; sterile. Used especially in reference to pure cultures of microorganisms. |
axenic
[Gr.] xenos (stranger); totally free of infection with microorganisms. Axenic mammals are usually produced in the first generation following cesarean section under absolutely sterile conditions and the young are delivered into plastic, sterile isolators where they remain under germ-free conditions; axenic avian species are produced by placing fertile eggs into plastic isolators after carefully sterilizing the egg shell. Called also germ-free animal. See also gnotobiotic and specific pathogen free.
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