The effect of nephrectomy on the incidence of breast carcinoma in irradiated parabiosed rats.

The incidence of carsinoma the breast in parabiosed female NEDH rats is 2.5%. When one member of such a pair is irradiated, the incidence rises to 11% in the irradiated partner and 10% in the nonirradiated partner. If in such a pair of rats one kidney is removed from each partner, the incidence of breast carcinoma rises fivefold in the nonirradiated partner. The factors involved in such an increase probably have to do with alteration in retention, interchange, and feedback of the pituitary and ovarian hormones.