Life Term Studies on the Effects of Arsenic, Germanium, Tin and Vanadium on Spontaneous Tumors in Mice

Abstract

Summary Mice fed a diet low in many trace elements and raised in an environment where contamination from extraneous trace elements was controlled were given small amounts (5 µg/ml) of arsenite, germanate, stannous, or vanadyl ions in drinking water for their life times. Animals receiving arsenite had a significantly decreased incidence of all tumors, and of tumors of the lung, compared to those receiving tin, vanadium, and to controls. Fewer spontaneous tumors were also found in animals given germanium. Significant differences in the incidences of malignant tumors did not appear. None of the elements was carcinogenic in the doses given.