Abstract
The effect of prolactin (PRL) on gastric tumorigenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was investigated in 5-week-old F344: JCR rats. A pituitary gland from female rats of same age was implanted into a spleen of male with silicone capsule containing estrone. One month after implantation, 100mg/l of MNNG were given for 6 months. Animals were sacrificed one year after the MNNG administration. The incidence of gastric tumors was 8/31 (26%) and 3/23 (13%) with or without the implantation, respectively. Serum PRL level but not growth hormone was increased in the group implanted with the pituitary gland. There was no correlationship between gastric tumors and level of PRL.
