[Diethylstilbestrol-induced uterine sarcoma in mice]

Female mice of CBA strain received diethylstilbestrol (DES) 1 g body weight intraperitoneally. High incidence of histiocytic uterine sarcoma was observed in parents (25%), first generation (F1), descendants (10.9%), and generation F2m (through F1 males mated with females in control) (17.8%). Morphologically, tumor cells examined through light and electron microscopy were referred to as histiocyte-like elements. Half of the animals had metastases in the liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen, pineal and adrenal glands and stomach. The development of tumors in generation F2m, which was not exposed to DES, might be accounted for by "transgeneration" carcinogenesis, i.e. passage of carcinogenic effect through a generation.