| Abstract: | The mammary gland is a dynamic organ that undergoes structural and functional changes
associated with growth, reproduction, and post-menopausal regression. The postnatal
transformations of the epithelium and stromal cells of the mammary gland may contribute to
its susceptibility to carcinogenesis. The increased cancer incidence in mammary glands of
humans and similarly of rodents in association with their development is believed to be
partly explained by proliferative activity together with lesser degree of differentiation,
but it is not completely understood how the virgin gland retains its higher susceptibility
to carcinogenesis. During its developmental cycle, the mammary gland displays many of the
properties associated with breast cancer. An early first full-term pregnancy may have a
protective effect. Rodent models are useful for investigating potential breast
carcinogens. The purpose of this review is to help recognizing histological appearance of
the epithelium and the stroma of the normal mammary gland in rats, and throughout its
development in relation to tumorigenic potential. |
