Natural history of body weight gain, survival, and neoplasia in the F344 rat.

This study involved the fact that knowledge of the natural incidence of neoplastic lesions is essential for interpretation of experiments designed to reveal the effects of potential carcinogens. Although the F344 rat is widely used in chronic (2-yr) testing programs, the natural history of neoplasia after 24 months is not known; thus this study, with 529 male and 529 female inbred F344 rats, was designed to deal with this aspect. This report also included information on growth and longevity. In addition, the tumor rates found in this study were compared with 2-year historic control tumor rates; results revealed the following. 1) Maximum mean body weights were 468 and 330 g for males and females, respectively. Peak weight in males was reached at 77 weeks of age and in females, at 107 weeks of age. 2) There was no clear sex difference in longevity; a median life-span (50% survival age) or 28 months was recorded in both sexes. 3) Variety of neoplastic lesions in animals that were allowed to live out their life-span was not greater than that in animals that were killed between 110 and 116 weeks of age; thus older age was not characterized by unique neoplasms. 4) The incidence of certain neoplasms increased markedly after 110-116 weeks. The data indicated that life-span studies in F344 rats had no advantages over 2-year studies. However, availability of life-span data is essential for interpretation of the 2-year studies.