Tumor-promoting activity of extracts of human semen in SENCAR mice

Application of ether extracts of pooled human semen that induce Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation promoted skin tumor production in female SENCAR mice previously treated with 100 micrograms of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Twice-weekly applications of 60 micrograms ether extract samples produced papillomas in SENCAR mice. Several samples of human semen were tested to determine the relationship between tumor-promoting activity and EBV activation in human semen. Pooled human semen that induced more than 10% EBV activation effectively promoted tumor production, but samples that induced less than 0.1% EBV activation were ineffective.