Spontaneous Neoplasms in Aging Gerbillinae. A Summary of Forty-four Neoplasms

Abstract

Forty-four neoplasms were found at necropsy in 115 gerbils from a colony of wild-caught, and first- or second-generation laboratory-raised gerbils. Ten species of gerbils varying from 24 to 61 months of age were affected. The neoplasms occurred in 18 primary locations and included nine neoplasms previously unreported in gerbils. Unusual neoplasms included several squamous cell carcinomas of middle ear, squamous cell carcinoma of ventral marking gland, and Hodgkin's-like lymphoma. Neoplasms were a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in these aging animals.