Opposite effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat mammary carcinomas.

The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (2 mg, twice daily p. o.) on the growth of the dimethylbenx (a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma was studied in intact and ovariectomixed adult female rats. DHEA treatment stimulated the tumor growth in ovariectomixed animals. Conversely, the tumors of intact rats treated with DHEA progressed to a lesser extent than those of intact untreated animals (p<0.01). Plasma levels of DHEA were higher in DHEA-fed than in untreated animals (p<.01), whereas E 2 concentrations were unchanged after DHEA administration