Comparative morphological studies on the carcinogenic effect of 7,12-dimethylbenz(A)anthracene (DMBA) in normal or intrasplenic ovarian tissue of C3H mice.

A single intravenous injection of 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of 7, 12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induces a high percentage of ovarian granulosa cell tumours in C3H mice. After implantation of ovarian tissue into the spleen of gonadectomized female C3H mice similar tumours were found, resulting from an over-stimulation by pituitary gonadotrophins. In the present study the tumour development in intrasplenic ovarian tissue was observed after an additional single intravenous application of 100 mg/kg b.w. DMBA. It was found that the induction of granulosa cell tumours did not seem to be affected by the carcinogen injection whether 12 weeks before or 12 weeks after ovarian tissue was implanted into the spleen. The morphology of these neoplasms corresponds to the DMBA induced granulosa cell tumours in orthotopic ovaries. A direct carcinogenic effect of DMBA on ovarian cells in mice could not be demonstrated but there are indications that the additional DMBA application accelerated the destruction of the oocytes, which might result in a more rapid intrasplenic tumour induction.