[Experimental cholelithiasis in animals]

This paper reviews the most relevant animal-based knowledge in gallstone formation, and its contribution to our improved understanding of the human illness. The importance of diet, age, sex and hormones has been proved in both animals and humans. Nevertheless, there are clear cut differences among species which make general conclusions hard to obtain. Although there is no ideal experimental animal, primates and hamsters seem to be close. Guinea-pigs, rats, mice, rabbits and dogs have been useful in providing key information in certain areas. The paramount importance of alterations in the lipidic composition of bile in lithogenesis is supported by experimental research in animals and has been ratified in humans. Diet is the main mechanism for experimental gallstone formation in animals. Observation of drug-induced lithogenesis in animals has made investigators aware of such phenomenon in humans.