Characterization of rat testicular teratoma and its derived cell lines, with particular reference to possible mesenchymal differentiations.

The original tumor, 4 cm in diameter, was found in the left testis of a 2-month old SD rat. The tumor consisted of well-differentiated, mature tissues such as bone, cartilage, adipose tissue, smooth and skeletal muscles, skin, hair, glands (salivary, sebaceous, apocrine and pancreatic exocrine glands) and trachea, as well as nerve tissues. The tumor was diagnosed as a mature type of teratoma, a rare in rat testis.