Selective induction of melanomas in gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) following postnatal administration of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea
Kleihues, P.; Bücheler, J.; Riede, U.N.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 61(3): 859-863
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 278863 Document Number: 131566
Following a single ip injection (50 mg/kg) of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) on postnatal day 7 or 20, 9 of 21 gerbils (43%) developed a total of 15 cutaneous melanomas. The mean survival time of tumor-bearing animals was 909 +/- 212 (SD) days. Neoplasms were preferentially located at sites with little hair and with high content of pigment cells (feet, ears, tail, or snout). Histologic studies on newborn gerbils indicated that ENU-induced malignant transformation occurred in differentiated melanocytes rather than in precursor cells of the neural crest.