Propagation of the Mammary Tumor Agent (Bittner Virus) in the Absence of Mammary Glands in Mice

Summary

Although the only known effect of the mammary tumor agent (Bittner virus) is the promotion of cancer in the mammary gland in mice, this virus multiplies in the absence of the mammary gland. The mammary tumor incidence in the recipients of splenic tissues from completely mammectomized females remains constant throughout 5 transfer passages and is identical with that in the group of females with splenic tissues from intact donors. The site of multiplication of the virus could not be determined.