Liver cancer: neonatal estrogen enhances induction by a carcinogen

A single injection of 100 micrograms of estradiol benzoate into newborn rats was followed after weaning by dietary treatment with one of two dosages of the carcinogen N-hydroxy-N-2-fluorenylacetamide. Autopsies 26 weeks later showed a higher incidence of liver cancer in male and, particularly, female rats injected with hormone than in controls. The weights of livers were greater but gonads were smaller in size in the estradiol groups. Endocrine and possibly centralnervous-system factors may play roles in formation of liver tumors.