The conjugational transfer of the plasmid pAMPl between two strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis was measured in the intestinal tract of four conventional and eight gnotobiotic rats. In the conventional rats both donor and recipient strains were eliminated and transconjugants were not observed. Germfree rats were dosed orally with the recipient strain and the donor strain carrying pAMPl. In faecal samples, transconjugants were detected within the first few days after dosing, and the transconjugants established a stable population at a level of 103-105 less than the recipient strain.

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