ABSTRACT
The information derived from descriptive animal toxicology testing is useful in determining the potential toxicity of a compound to humans. The objective of these tests is to identify toxic chemicals at an early stage of chemical development, especially if the substance is already commercially available. The ability to predict toxicity in humans with a responsible level of safety is probably the most trying conclusion of animal testing. Correlation of the results of toxicity testing described in animals with human exposure requires careful consideration of the parameters of the animal tests, including the selection of species with similar physiology. Among the mammalian species available to toxicologists for testing chemicals, the rodent is the most useful and convenient. Notwithstanding the ostensible difference in size and a few minor anatomical distinctions, rodent physiology is identical to human. Routine oral or parenteral 24 h studies in a rodent species are performed along with other types of tests depending on the chemical substance.
