Incidence of spontaneous tumors in laboratory rats

The Caw-Hoe-Wiga strain of the Sprague-Dawley rat was observed for a period of ten years (1974--1983). In toxicity studies, a gradual increase of food intake could be noted in 12- to 13-week-old rats. The food intake of males was 21 g in 1974 and 27 g in 1983; in females 16 g in 1974 and 19 g in 1984. Correspondingly, a gradual increase of body weight was measured. The body weight of males was 400 g in 1974 and 470 g in 1983; of females 240 g in 1974 and 285 g in 1983. The gradual increase of food intake and body weight was followed by a gradual increase in the incidence of spontaneous tumors, 1974: 5% and 1983: 13%. Our experiments support the opinion of a causal connection between food intake, body weight and incidence of spontaneous tumors. Tumors can appear in any age group, but tumors. occur more often in older animals. In our studies, the increase in the incidence of spontaneous tumors was proportional to the increase in age: At 15 months only 6%, at 32 months 86%. 32% of the tumors were located in the mammary glands, 27% in the hypophysis, 12% in skin and appendages, and 9% in other endocrine organs. The comparison of toxicity and carcinogenicity studies revealed no change in the tumor spectrum, but strain-related tumors appeared earlier in life, more frequently and more often multifocally towards the end of the 10-year observation period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)