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Inherited Susceptibility of Inbred Strains of Syrian Hamsters to Induction of Subcutaneous Sarcomas and Mammary and Gastrointestinal Carcinomas by Subcutaneous and Gastric Administration of Polynuclear Hydrocarbons¹

Bio-Research Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141

Single s.c. injections in tricaprylin of 500 g of 3-methylcholanthrene, or benzo(a)pyrene, or 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene produced s.c. sarcomas at the injection site of most tested inbred strains of Syrian hamsters. Benz(a)anthracene produced no tumors at the injection site; however, in one inbred line (BIO 87.20) 10% of the treated females developed bronchiolar adenocarcinoma. The rate of tumor development and the number of tumors varied depending on the inbred lines. For all of the tested carcinogens, the same three inbred lines were more susceptible than most of the other lines tested (BIO 87.20, BIO 45.5, BIO 15.16). Feeding of 3-methylcholanthrene caused carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract, female reproductive tract, and mammary gland in six inbred lines and one ramdomly bred line of Syrian hamsters. Whereas in the ramdomly bred line the results were similar to those reported previously by Della Porta, the incidence of all tumors varied widely among inbred strains, thus revealing that genetic factors govern the responses of Syrian hamsters to gastric 3-methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis. Genetics appear to determine the responsiveness or nonresponsiveness in general of inbred Syrian hamsters to carcinogenic stimuli. Knowledge of these inherited variable susceptibilities makes possible the rational selection of inbred lines that are best suited for certain experiments.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS General Research Supported Grant SO1-FR-05525 (Division of Research Facilities and Resources); Research Grant CA-10101 (National Cancer Institute); and grants from the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation, Virginia and D. K. Ludwig Foundation, Inc., and Bio-Research Consultants, Inc.

Received 8/ 2/71. Accepted 11/ 8/71.