The effect of growth hormone on the development of plasma cell tumor and lymphosarcoma.

The effect of administration of growth hormone on the develop ment of plasma cell tumors and lymphosarcomas in BALB/c mice was studied. Mice of both sexes were injected i.p. with mineral oil as the tumorigenic stimulus. Daily administration of bovine growth hormone stimulated an inflammatory reaction in the peri toneal cavity after mineral oil injection and accelerated plasma cell tumor development. Administration of bovine prolactin or bovine serum albumin had no effect on oil-induced plasma cell tumorigenesis. A small number of lymphosarcomas were found in mice treated either with growth hormone with or without min eral oil injection or with albumin. Long-term s.o. administration of protein, such as serum albumin or growth hormone, caused extensive proliferation of lymphoid cells in the peritoneal cavity.