Effects of Castration before and after Treatment with N-Bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine (DHPN) on the Development of Thyroid Tumors in Rats Treated with DHPN Followed by Phenobarbital

Abstract

The effect of castration on the development of thyroid tumors was studied histologically and biochemically in Wistar rats given a single ip injection of 210mg of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamine (DHPN) followed by phenobarbital (Pb). Castration was performed one week after, or one week before the injection of DHPN. The injection of DHPN was given at the end of the first week, and the rats were fed 500ppm Pb in the basal diet for 38 weeks from week 3 to week 40. The incidence of thyroid adenomas and cancers was 20% (4/20) and 10% (2/20) in rats treated with DHPN alone. It was 75% (15/20) and 40% (8/20) in rats treated with DHPN and Pb; 30% (6/20) and 15% (3/20) in rats treated with DHPN and Pb, and castrated after DHPN; 20% (4/20) and 0% in rats treated with DHPN and Pb, and castrated before DHPN and Pb; and 0% and 0% in rats castrated either before or after receiving DHPN. Castration thus inhibited the development of thyroid tumor in rats treated with DHPN. The inhibition of tumor development in rats treated with DHPN and Pb, and castrated before receiving DHPN, was greater than in the rats castrated after receiving DHPN. Castration inhibited the secretion of TSH in rats treated with DHPN and Pb.