HORMONALLY INDUCED-TUMORS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE-SYSTEM OF PARABIOSED MALE-RATS

Abstract

Parabiosis of intact male rats to castrated males or oophorectomized females for a period of .apprx. 20 mo. resulted in 3 interstitial cell tumors of the testis. When unilateral nephrectomy was added to the parabiotic procedure in 10 pairs, 8 interstitial cell tumors of the testis and 4 adenocarcinomas of the prostate occurred in the target male parabionts. These changes were preceded by elevations in luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the serum of the castrates and high levels of testosterone and, to a lesser degree, of androstenedione in the target partners developing the tumors.