Changing sensitivity of neonatal rats to tumorigenic effects of N-nitroso-N-ethylurea and X-radiation, given singly or combined.
After neonatal injection of rats with 10 mg N-nitroso-N-ethylurea [(ENU) CAS: 759-73-9]/kg body weight, whole-body X-irradiation with 1.25 Gy X-radiation caused a reduction in induced neurogenic tumors which was dependent on the interval between the two treatments. The reduction was greatest when radiation was given 1 day after ENU and progressively decreased with irradiation at 5 and 30 days. Changes in radiosensitivity in the neonatal period were also seen for ovarian tumors and squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth. Ovarian tumors were induced by 1.25 Gy X-rays alone, with a higher incidence occurring after irradiation at 5 days than at 30 days of age. Squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth have a high spontaneous incidence in this strain of rat, but 1.25 Gy X-radiation caused a significant reduction which was greater after irradiation at 5 than at 30 days of age. Pituitary tumors occurred in untreated and treated rats with a higher incidence in females. Only in males was there any suggestion of an effect of the various treatments on pituitary tumor incidence.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*
D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea