The carcinogenic effect of dimethylnitrosamine on the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus)

Three groups of Chinese hamsters (20 males, 20 females/group) received weekly subcutaneous injections for life of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) at dose levels 0.20, 0.10 and 0.05 of the LD50. Eighty-two to 100% of the animals developed tumors of vascular origin. The neoplasms were primarily hepatic hemangioendotheliomas and their incidence was unrelated to dose or sex. Although animals in the low dose group received a total dose which was one-third that of the highest dose group, their survival times were only slightly longer.