Use of the golden hamster in toxicology

The choice of an appropriate species and strain of laboratory animal is one of the toxicologist's major concerns. The biochemical, anatomical, and other characteristics of the golden hamster which make it a valuable though limited tool in toxicologic research were reviewed. The effects of organochloride insecticides on rats, mice, and hamsters were compared. These substances can be classified into 3 groups based on the hamster's sensitivity to acute toxic effects. The hamster is so insensitive to DDT and its immediate metabolites, DDD and DDE, that an LD50 cannot be established, whereas the hamster's sensitivity to other organochlorides varies when compared with mouse and rat sensitivity. The long-term effects of sub-lethal doses of organochloride insecticides on biochemical pathways were evaluated, particularly on liver function. The details of the induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the hamster and in the rat were also explored.