Estrogen-Induced Kidney Tumors in the Golden Hamster. I. Biochemical Composition During Tumorigenesis<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN1">2</xref>

Abstract

Male golden hamsters were treated with diethylstilbestrol to produce renal tumors. Analyses of total fat, protein, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid levels in both kidney and liver were made during the early stages of carcinogenesis (3 months), as tumors became detectable microscopically (8 months), and at a time when the tumors were well established (10 months). Appropriate controls were also examined. Appreciable changes in concentration of the foregoing constituents were not observed until the tumors were well established. Increased kidney weight appeared to be one of the earliest manifestations of tumorigenesis. Regression of the kidney tumors after 10 months of treatment with diethylstilbestrol followed by 1 month without estrogen was studied. Regression was complete in only 60 percent of the animals. For about one half of the animals, some factor other than removal of the excess estrogen appeared to be involved in the regression. Kidney function, as measured by urea clearance, was not affected after 8 months of treatment with diethylstilbestrol.