Etiology:  The granulosa cell tumor is a spontaneously occurring tumor of the theca-granulosa cells, and is derived from the stroma of the sexual cord.  These tumors originate from the ovarian mesenchyme [1, 2].

Incidence:  Ovarian tumors can often occur in female Mongolian gerbils.

Clinical Signs:  Usual signs are an early cessation of reproductive activities, a severe drop in litter sizes (if in a breeding situation) or a prominent or distended abdomen.

Pathology:  Granulosa cell tumors are often bilateral and may be fleshy, lobulated or cystic.

Diagnosis:  Diagnosis is made based on clinical signs and confirmed by histopathology.

1.         Percy, D.H., Barthold, Stephen W., Pathology Of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits. 3 ed2007, 2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014, USA: Blackwell Publishing Professional.

2.         Guzman-Silva, M.A. and M. Costa-Neves, Incipient spontaneous granulosa cell tumour in the gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus. Lab Anim, 2006. 40(1): p. 96-101.