Spontaneous tumors and common diseases in two colonies of Syrian hamsters. III. Urogenital system and endocrine glands.

The frequency of spontaneously occuring neoplasms in the urogenital system and endocrine organs was examined in two Syrian hamster colonies [Eppley colony (EC); Hannover colony (HC)]. With the exception of a renal adenoma in an EC female, the urinary systems of animals in both colonies were free of neoplastic growths. A single epididymal adenoma of the male fenital system (EC) was found. However, incidences of female genital tract tumors were 10 (EC) and 3.5% (HC) and accounted for 34 and 11%, respectively, of all tumors in females. Among all genital tract tumors, 3 (EC) and 57% (HC) were ovarian, 14% (HC) were in the fallopian tubes, 81 (EC) AND 29% (HC) were uterine, and 16% (EC), vaginal. The overall incidence of endocrine organ tumors was similar in both colonies (EC, 22%; HC, 19%). The distribution of these tumors was as follows: pituitary gland; EC, 3%, HC, 0; thyroid gland: EC, 28%, HC, 31%; parathyroid gland: EC,11%, HC, 18%; adrenal cortex: EC, 42%, HC, 31%; adrenal medulla: EC, 7%, HC, 0; and endocrine pancreas: EC, 10%, HC, 31%. The morphology of these neoplasms is described and the incidence compared with those reported in other colonies.