Exocrine pancreatic neoplasms induced by methylazoxymethanol acetate in the guppy Poecilia reticulata.

Exocrine pancreatic neoplasms developed in the guppy Poecilia reticulata following a single brief exposure to methylazoxymethanol acetate [(MAM-Ac) CAS: 592-62-1]. Fish 6-10 days old were exposed to concentrations of MAM-Ac up to 100 mg/liter for 2 hours. Exposed specimens were transferred to carcinogen-free water and sampled periodically for tumor development. Pancreatic neoplasms occurred in approximately 9% of histologically examined individuals exposed to 10 mg MAM-Ac/liter or less. Neoplastic lesions were not found in 122 control specimens. The neoplasms included 6 cases diagnosed as adenoma, 7 cases diagnosed as acinar cell carcinoma, and 2 cases diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Adenomas consisted mainly of well-differentiated acinar cells that were filled with zymogen granules. Two adenomas also contained foci of atypical, less-differentiated acinar cells possessing basophilic, fibrillar cytoplasm. Acinar cell carcinomas occurred in several cellular patterns that ranged from well-differentiated to more anaplastic lesions; however, none exhibited areas of ductular proliferation. Adenocarcinomas, on the other hand, exhibited a glandular growth pattern and contained numerous ductlike structures. Both types of carcinomas appear to arise from primary acinar cells. Thus lesions probably progress from adenomas to acinar cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. The findings of carcinogen-induced pancreatic neoplasms in guppies further strengthen the usefulness of small fish species in carcinogen testing and provide an additional model for pancreatic tumors.