The carcinogenicity kepone

Abstract

Kepone is unmistakably carcinogenic in rats and mice. Kepone induced malignant tumors in the liver of rats and mice in the NCI studies and in the liver in rats in the Medical College of Virginia study. Malignant tumors were also found in organs other than the liver in rats in both studies, including the lowest dose administered. Female rats given Kepone were more susceptible to the development of malignant tumors than were male rats. There also were toxic changes, particularly in male rats, ingesting Kepone. These lesions include interstitial fibrisos of the kidney, polyarteritis of the mesenteric, pancreatic and other arteries; and atrophy of the testes. Such lesions generally interfere with the health of the rats and with the development of tumors. Atrophy of the testes would also prevent reproduction.