[Problems in preclinical pharmacology when deciding on suitable animal species and animal tests models].

The significance of procedures used in animal experiments for the development of new pharmaceutical agents is demonstrated on selected examples. Particular attention is given to the different degrees of sensitivity in the various species to new compounds, which are dependent on several factors such as absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion. Comparing findings obtained in animal experiments with unknown compounds to those of standard substances facilitates extrapolation to man.