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The Morphological Effects of Estrogen Removal on an Estrogendependent Adrenocortical Carcinoma in Rats

Departments of Pathology, University of British Columbia and British Columbia Cancer Institute, Vancouver, B. C., Canada

Transplantable, estrogen-dependent adrenocortical tumors of rats were examined by light and electron microscopy before and after removal of estrogen support. Removal of the trophic hormone caused the tumors to shrink to a minimum diameter of 2 to 4 mm; these tumors recommenced growing if estrogen was readministered. The prominent histological features of the regressing tumors were atrophy and infiltration by eosinophilic leukocytes. When examined under the electron microscope, the cells in the regressing tumors showed a reduction in the amount of ribosomes, an increase in cellular density and pigment granules, and a simplification of mitochondrial morphology.

¹ Recipient of Medical Research Council of Canada and Shane Fellowships, during the tenure of which this work was performed.

Received 12/10/70. Accepted 3/17/71.