Growth and development of male and female rats treated with the Leydig cell cytotoxin ethane dimethane sulphonate during the suckling period.
The growth inhibiting effects of the Leydig cell cytotoxin ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) were investigated after treatment of both male and female neonatal rats. Pups were injected daily from day 4 to day 15 of age with EDS (50 mg/kg body weight sc), vehicle or water, or were not injected, according to a within-litter control experimental design. The rats were killed for necropsy at 40 and 80 days. The timing of attainment of the developmental milestones that appear during the suckling period was unaffected by treatment, but vaginal opening was 2 days later in EDS-treated females. After a delay of 9-10 days after the start of treatment the growth in body weight of both male and female EDS-treated rats was substantially and progressively depressed, such that by 80 days male and female EDS-treated rats showed body-weight deficits of 18 and 25%, respectively. The food intake of EDS-treated rats at 10 wk of age was less than that of controls, but was appropriate or more than appropriate for metabolic body size. As expected, testes were vestigial in EDS-treated males and the accessory male sexual organs were very small. Ovary and uterus weights were appropriate for body weight in EDS-treated females. At 80 days, liver weight was high for body weight in EDS-treated rats of both sexes. Possible mechanisms for the effect on body growth are discussed. Depressed food intake is discounted. Endocrine involvement, perhaps some anomaly of growth hormone release, or a more generalized toxic effect seem more likely.
Smart
J L
JL
Department of Child Health, Medical School, University of Manchester, UK.
Massey
R F
RF
Lendon
R G
RG
Morris
I D
ID
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008698:Mesylates / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D009928:Organ Specificity; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors
D008698:Mesylates; C002994:ethylene dimethanesulfonate