Certain strains of mice are particularly susceptible to the development of spontaneous mammary gland adenocarcinoma. Other strains show a marked resistance to such atypical growths. The predisposition to tumor development thus appears to be determined at least partially by hereditary factors. That the predisposition to tumor incidence might be determined or indicated by structural or developmental factors was pointed out by Gibson (1930). Using a small number of animals from two strains of albino mice, the individuals of one strain being susceptible to tumor development and representatives of another strain more or less resistant, Gibson reported definite embryonic and developmental anomalies in the mammary glands of the tumor-susceptible strain. These anomalies largely involved the nipples. In addition, the mammary glands of the susceptible animals developed more slowly than did those of mice of the immune strain. More significant strain differences were observed in the regressed mammary glands of old mice. Cystic or metaplastic areas were present in the glands of old animals of the tumor-susceptible strain.
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Gardner et al. (1935) studied this question.