Spontaneous Pituitary Tumors in Rats: A Review - Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present the issue of spontaneous pituitary tumors in rats. These are non-metastatic tumors made of pituitary glandular cells and are a common health problem in this species. Depending on age, gender and strain, prevalence may reach 100%. The process of their formation is complex- molecular genetic changes initiate the transformation of cells, and hormones and growth factors play an important role in stimulating their proliferation. A commonly used classification of pituitary tumors is that created by WHO. It is based on the determination of the pituitary glandular cell lines using markers such as hormones and transcription factors. Clinical symptoms can be divided into two groups - neurological and hormonal. Neurological symptoms result from tumor growth and pressure on surrounding structures in the brain. Hormonal symptoms occur as a result of hypothalamic-pituitary axis disorder. Diagnosis in veterinary medicine is usually based on medical history and clinical examination, but additional tests such as CT or MRI can also be used. Bromocriptine and cabergoline are used to treat pituitary tumors in rats. Research on potential markers has been ongoing for years, including p53, Ki-67, MMP-9 or PTTG, however, so far, the results of the research remain ambiguous.