Estrogen and progesterone receptors in the diethylstilbestrol-induced kidney neoplasms of the Syrian golden hamster: correlation with histopathology and tumoral stages.

Estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PGR) receptors were determined in the cytosols of 34 kidneys from diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated Syrian golden hamsters, expressing lesions of amyloidosis, dysplasias and tumors. Nineteen were determined by the dextran-charcoal method and 15 by monoclonal antibodies. Positivity was found in 50% of the cases, seven being positive to both types of receptors and 10 positive only to one type. The yield was slightly better using monoclonal antibodies. The medium values obtained were 58.33 fmol/mg for ER receptors (range 13.6-109.09) and 106.14 fmol/mg for PGR receptors (range 12.94-532). Positivity was related both with tumoral size and grade of histologic differentiation, for both types of receptors. Moreover, the ER receptor values increased progressively in proportion to the successive stages of carcinogenesis and the DES exposure times.