The effect of hibernation on the growth of sarcoma in the hamster.

Summary A homologous methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma was implanted into the cheek pouches of three groups of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), comprising (a) control animals maintained in a warm environment, (b) nonhibernating hamsters maintained at an environmental temperature of 5° C., and (c) hibernating animals maintained at 5° C. Comparison of the growth rates of the tumors under these conditions showed that the tumors of the animals which were awake in the cold did not enlarge quite so fast as the actively growing tumors of the controls. This difference may be correlated with the slightly higher cheek pouch temperature of the controls. There was no evidence of proliferation of the sarcoma in the hibernating animals with environmental and cheek pouch temperatures of 5° C., but as soon as the animals returned to the homeothermic state in a warm environment, the tumors grew as fast as in the controls. Tumors were viable and capable of growth after exposure to hibernation for as long as 52 days. It is concluded that this homologous tumor, like normal hamster tissues, remains viable but shows no detectable growth during hibernation.