This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Homburger, F. Articles by Russfield, A. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Homburger, F. Articles by Russfield, A. B.

An Inbred Line of Syrian Hamsters with Frequent Spontaneous Adrenal Tumors¹

Bio-Research Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141 and The Mallory Institute of Pathology, Boston City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02118

Two new inbred lines of Syrian hamsters are described in their 13th to 20th and 24th to 34th generations of brother-sister mating. One of the two lines, identified as BIO 4.24, shows a high incidence of adrenal tumors (in about 50% of the animals). The other, BIO 45.5, shows a significantly lower incidence (in about 17% of the animals). Histologically, these were the types of adrenal tumors previously described in this species. In 12 other inbred strains the adrenal tumor incidence averaged 23%. The BIO 4.24 line (high incidence of adrenal tumors) also showed a higher incidence of histological anomalies of sex glands and pituitary which, however, was not related to the adrenal neoplasms. There was also present a high incidence of obesity in females which was not correlated with the observed anomalies of the endocrine system. Genetic factors seem to explain the previously reported highly variable incidence of spontaneous adrenal tumors of hamsters.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS General Research Support Grant SO1-FR-05525 (Division of Research Facilities and Resources), Research Support Grant HD-00769 (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development), and a grant from the Charles E. Merrill Trust.

Received 4/30/69. Accepted 6/ 6/69.