Hereditary renal adenomas and adenocarcinomas in rats.

An animal model of renal adenomas and adenocarcinomas is described in rats where tumour development depends on an autosomal dominant gene. This gene seems to have a direct effect on the kidney. Most of the tumours develop from the proximal convoluted tubules. This is the first known animal model where kidney tumours develop on an hereditary basis. The histopathology of the renal tumours not only resembles that of chemically induced rat kidney tumours but also human tumours.