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Induction of Testicular Sarcomas in Fischer Rats by Intratesticular Injection of Nickel Subsulfide¹

Departments of Pathology [I. D.] and Laboratory Medicine [F. W. S., J. M. M., P. R. A.], University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut 06032

Nickel subsulfide (Ni₃S₂) was injected in various amounts into the testis of adult Fischer rats for the study of the acute and chronic effects of Ni₃S₂ on testicular cells. Rats given injections of 0.6 to 10 mg of Ni₃S₂ developed an immediate inflammatory response at the site of injection, followed by a delayed, slowly evolving coagulation necrosis of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. The extent of testicular necrosis was dose dependent, but at doses of 5 or 10 mg of Ni₃S₂ the rats invariably developed subtotal destruction of the testis. The testis became atrophic, without regeneration of seminiferous tubules. No damage was seen in the other testis, and no systemic effects were noted. Malignant testicular neoplasms developed in 16 of 19 rats within 20 months after an injection of 10 mg of Ni₃S₂. These neoplasms were classified by light and electron microscopy as fibrosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas. None of the testicular neoplasms was derived from germ cells or genital cord cells. The occurrence of rhabdomyosarcomas in the testis, an organ normally devoid of striated muscle, suggests that Ni₃S₂ induces malignant transformation of undifferentiated, pluripotential mesenchymal cells.

¹ Sponsored by Research Grants E(11-1)-3140 from the U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration and ES-01337 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Presented at the meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Denver, Colo., on May 12, 1977 (3).

² Present address: Department of Pathology, Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. 19102.

³ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, P. O. Box G, Farmington, Conn. 06032.

Received 8/11/77. Accepted 11/ 4/77.

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