The role of toxicity in the carcinogenicity of endosulfan

Two studies have been undertaken on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of endosulfan, a chlorinated cyclodiene - the NCI Endosulfan Rat Study and the NCI Endosulfan Mouse Study. Histological sections have been examined and the results of this review are based on my diagnoses. Endosulfan is highly toxic for male and female osborne-Mendel rats, particularly for male rats. The chemical causes interstitial fibrosis or acute tubular necrosis of the kidney and death. These lesions, as well as atrophy of the testes, polyarteritis, parathyroid hyperplasia, osteitis fibrosis of bone, and abscesses of the lung, interfere with the health of the animals and with the development of neoplasms. Endosulfan, even though it is extremely toxic, is carcinogenic for male and female Osborne-Mendel rats. The chemical induced malignant neoplasms at all sites in male and female rats and the endocrine organs in male rats. Rats of both sexes developed lymphosarcomas, and female rats had neoplasms of the reproductive system. Endosulfan is also carcinogenic for the liver of female mice.