Sex hormone effects on chromosome size in leukemic and normal lymphocytes of C58 mice.

In a study of chromosomal enlargement in neoplasms, it had been observed that metaphasic chromosomes of the cells of 6 long-transferred lines of lymphatic leukemia were usually larger in male host mice than in female (12). This sexual difference suggested an investigation of the effect of sex hormones on chromosome size in leukemic and normal lymphocytes. Experiments along several possible lines of attack on the problem were carried out in anlmals inoculated or not inoculated with leukemic cells. Removal of the ovary served as a means of demonstrating the participation of that organ's secretions and, conversely, androgcn was administered to gonadectomized animals in order to ascertain its effect. In addition, groups of animals under various other natural and artificial conditions with respect to sex hormones were studied.