Biochemical Studies of Diethylstilbestrol-induced Kidney Tumors in the Golden Syrian Hamster

Summary Hepatic glucuronyltransferase activity toward diethylstilbestrol (DES) decreased in hamsters treated chronically with DES (3.5 and 7 months). The presence of both primitive estrogen-dependent renal tumors and transplanted estrogen-independent tumors resulted in an increase of glucuronyltransferase activity toward DES. This activity was higher in the hamster kidney than in the rat kidney. Chronic administration of DES dimethyl ether produced renal tumors in the male hamster similar to those produced by DES, although a longer period of treatment was required. DES monoglucuronide administered for 15 months did not produce renal tumors. Hepatic β-glucuronidase activity towards DES monoglucuronide was not induced in hamsters treated with DES monoglucuronide. Hepatic O -demethylase activity toward DES dimethyl ether was not induced in hamsters treated with DES dimethyl ether. This activity was not modified by the presence of a renal tumor.