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Case Reports
. 2010 Apr;14(2):136-8.

Breast tumor developed in a pregnant rat after treatment with the teratogen Cycloheximide

E N Emmanouil-Nikoloussi, E Nikoloussis, M E Manthou, O Ch Goula, Ch Likartsis, Th Papamitsou, H Frangou, S Massouridou, Ch Lazaridis, A Manthos
Case Reports

Breast tumor developed in a pregnant rat after treatment with the teratogen Cycloheximide

E N Emmanouil-Nikoloussi et al. Hippokratia. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Aim: To describe histochemically and immunohistochemically a breast tumor presented in a pregnant rat given Cycloheximide to examine its teratogenic and embryotoxic effect on the embryos.

Methods: Cycloheximide was injected in pregnant Wistar rats at a dose of 3 mg/kg.b.w. on both 10th and 11th gestational days. In one of the rats, a large breast tumor developed rapidly. Histochemical staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson Trichrome and immunohistochemical identification with mouse monoclonal antibodies: a) Estrogen Receptor A and b) Estrogen Receptor B was performed.

Results: Analysis with A-receptor and B-receptor showed that the breast tumor which was developed after treatment with Cycloheximide was malignant. Positive immunohistochemical reaction was evident especially with A-receptor indicating the malignancy of the tumor.

Conclusions: Cycloheximide is a known toxic and teratogenic agent and potentially a carcinogenic drug. Thus it should be used with extreme caution as a pesticide.

Keywords: breast tumor; cycloheximide; estrogen receptors; teratogenesis; toxicity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Female rat under general anesthesia and during operation for surgical resection of the tumor. The sizeable tumor is enucleated and extends to the anterior thoracic-abdominal region
Figure 2
Figure 2. Strongly positive estrogen A detection in the glandular parenchyma of the tumor. Magnification X400
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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