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Mouse Strain and Breeding Stimulation as Factors Influencing the Effect of Thymectomy on Mammary Tumorigenesis¹

Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, University of Pisa Medical School, Pisa [F. S.], and Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, Division of Cancer Research, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, [M. O., G. B. B.] Italy

The effect of neonatal thymectomy on mammary tumorigenesis was investigated in BALB/cf(C3H), BALB/cf(RIII), and RIII mice carrying spontaneous mammary tumor virus infection. In BALB/cf(C3H) virgin females, thymectomy decreased mammary tumor incidence from 82 to 46% and delayed tumor onset by about 5 months. In BALB/cf(RIII) force-bred females, thymectomy delayed tumor onset by about 2 months but did not significantly affect the final mammary tumor incidence. In RIII females, either virgins or breeders (normal and force bred), thymectomy had no effect on frequency and onset of mammary tumors. Therefore, the effect of thymectomy on virus-induced mouse mammary tumorigenesis depends to a large extent on the mouse strain and breeding condition.

¹ This investigation was supported by a grant from the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research (Fund's Project No. 206), New Haven, Conn.

² Present address and address for reprint requests: Institute of Pathology, Anatomy, and Histology, Medical School, 56100 Pisa, Italy.

Received 10/ 2/69. Accepted 3/25/70.