The cause of species differences in mammary tumourigenesis: significance of mammary gland DNA synthesis.

The causes of species differences in mammary tumourigenesis are briefly discussed from the genetical and environmental points of view, although no firm conclusions can be drawn. Distinct differences in mammary gland DNA synthesis were found between female mice and rats, which behave very differently in mammary tumourigenesis. Based on the importance of mammary gland DNA synthesis in mammary tumourigenesis, the differences in mammary gland DNA synthesis between species is hypothesized to be a major cause of the species differences in mammary tumourigenesis.