Intrasplenic grafting of ovarian tissue containing 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

To produce malignant granulosa cell tumors, ovarian tissue containing 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was autografted in the spleen of 20 castrated rats. Adenocarcinoma developed in 8 rats within 6 months from the transplantation. Granulosa cell tumor arose from the intrasplenic graft, in 6 rats at the 14th month. The neoplastic cells were diffusely arranged in sheet showing focal luteinization. In 3 cases extrasplenic spreads were found on the peritoneal surface. Since malignant ovarian tumors seldom develop by intrasplenic grafting alone, the DMBA treatment may contribute to the occurrence of malignant granulosa cell tumor.