Induction of glucagon synthesis in diabetic CBA mice bearing mammary aplastic carcinomas.

Passaging of the mammary aplastic carcinoma several times in diabetic CBA mice induced an extrapancreatic secretion of glucagon. Consequently, the concentration of immunoreactive glucagon was higher in plasma and the tumor tissue extract. After the injection of alloxan, attempts to reduce the level of this hormone in the diabetic mice were unsuccessful. The tumor cells could have been responsible for the secretion of glucagon.