Mink as a predictive model in toxicology.

This paper reviewed the biomedical and toxicological database concerning the use of mink as a predictive model of human responses. It is concluded that substantial information exists on the mink genetics, physiology, metabolism, nutritional requirements, and susceptibility to infectious disease; and provides a foundation upon which interspecies extrapolation may be considered. In addition, information on the response of mink to several dozen toxic substances revealed that mink respond in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner to other more commonly employed species as well as humans. Our conclusion does not infer that mink should be used routinely in toxicological testing for estimation of human responses. However, it indicates that toxicological data from this species may be a useful complement in risk assessment processes based upon data obtained from traditionally employed models such as rats and dogs.