Re. Weller et al., EXAMINATION OF TESTICULAR-TUMORS IN THE BEAGLE DOG EXPOSED TO INHALEDPLUTONIUM, International journal of radiation biology, 68(1), 1995, pp. 63-70
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging","Nuclear Sciences & Tecnology
Gross and light microscopic features of testicular neoplasms were exam
ined in the male beagle dog used in three studies to examine the life-
span effects of inhaled plutonium (Pu). One hundred and sixty-six case
s of testicular neoplasia (TN) occurred among 105 dogs that ranged in
age from 7 . 5 to 17 . 7 years at the time of diagnosis. The 166 cases
of TN comprised 113 interstitial cell tumours, 27 seminomas in situ,
19 seminomas, and seven Sertoli cell tumours. Serum testosterone and e
stradiol 17-beta concentrations, and the serum testosterone-to-oestrad
iol ratio were determined in 39 dogs with TN and in five clinically no
rmal, sexually intact, age-matched cohorts. Serum hormone concentratio
ns did not differ significantly among tumour types or between dogs wit
h neoplasms and age-matched cohorts. There was a significant relations
hip between initial lung deposition (ILD) of Pu and activity in the te
stis (Bq/g testis). The slope of the relationship was 0 . 35, 0 . 89 a
nd 0 . 91 for (PuO2)-Pu-239, (PuO2)-Pu-238 and Pu-239(NO3)(4) respecti
vely. Pu in the testis at long times (> 5 years) after inhalation was
between 0 . 0001 and 0 . 03% ILD, depending on the physicochemical for
m of Pu. Although the mean activity of Pu in the testis of dogs was hi
gher in those life-span studies employing (PuO2)-Pu-238 and Pu-239(NO3
)4, the cumulative proportion of dogs with tumours, the distribution o
f tumour types, and mean time to first tumour was not significantly di
fferent among the three studies or dose groups, including controls, wi
thin a study.