Induction of testicular sarcomas in Fischer rats by intratesticular injection of nickel subsulfide

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Cancer Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6784550

Damjanov, I; Sunderman, Jr, F W; Mitchell, J M; Allpass, P R

Nickel subsulfide (Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/) was injected in various amounts into the testis of adult Fischer rats for the study of the acute and chronic effects of Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/ on testicular cells. Rats given injections of 0.6 to 10 mg of Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/ developed an immediate inflammatory response at the site of injection, followed by a delayed, slowly evolving coagulation necrosis of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. The extent of testicular necrosis was dose dependent, but at doses of 5 or 10 mg of Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/ the rats invariably developed subtotal destruction of the testis. The testis became atrophic, without regeneration of seminiferous tubules. No damage was seen in the other testis, and no systemic effects were noted. Malignant testicular neoplasms developed in 16 of 19 rats within 20 months after an injection of 10 mg of Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/. These neoplasms were classified by light and electron microscopy as fibrosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas. None of the testicular neoplasms was derived from germ cells or genital cord cells. The occurrence of rhabdomyosarcomas in the testis, an organ normally devoid of striated muscle, suggests that Ni/sub 3/S/sub 2/ induces malignant transformation of undifferentiated, pluripotential mesenchymal cells.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Connecticut, Farmington
• OSTI ID: 6784550
• Journal Information: Cancer Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer Res.; (United States) Vol. 38:2; ISSN CNREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900* -- Pathology
560305 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
CHALCOGENIDES
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
GONADS
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
NEOPLASMS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
NICKEL SULFIDES
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
RATS
RODENTS
SARCOMAS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TESTES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES