Pathophysiologic changes associated with the development of arteriosclerosis during various phases of the reproductive cycles of repeatedly bred rats

Abstract

• 1.

  1. Repeatedly bred rats develop arteriosclerosis spontaneously.

• 2.

  2. Lactation and weaning cause exacerbation of the vascular changes.

• 3.

  3. Mucopolysaccharides, collagen, elastic tissue and calcific changes are predominant features of the arteriosclerosis.

• 4.

  4. The adrenal steroids are implicated in conditioning aortic enzyme changes, e.g. beta-glucuronidase, which make for premature arterial disease in breeder rats.