Initiation of cell proliferation in livers of the viviparous fish poeciliopsis lucida with 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a]anthracene

Abstract

Stimulation of liver cell proliferation by sublethal exposures to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) is examined in the small, viviparous fish Poeciliopsis lucida. Poeciliopsis is susceptible to induction of liver tumors by repeated short-term exposures, under 24 hr, to waterborne DMBA at 5 ppm. Exposures to 5 ppm for 24 hr was lethal to fish under 1 month old and resulted in 60% mortality of adult females 20-25 mm in length. Response to 16-, 20-, and 22-hr exposures of 5 ppm DMBA, as measured by mitotic index, was similar in females of two size classes, 20-25 mm and 26-30 mm. Differences were observed in the onset of mitosis in livers of fish exposed for 16 hr vs 20 or 22 hr. Hepatocyte proliferation did not begin until 10-11 days after the 16-hr exposure and lasted for only 3 days. When exposure was increased to 20 or 22 hr, mitotic activity was observed earlier, 2 days following treatment, and continued for 6-8 days. The peak period of cell proliferation also varied, occurring 12 days after a 16-hr exposure, 4 days after a 20-hr exposure, and at least 10 days after a 22-hr exposure. The mitotic index was the highest on the final day specimens of the 22-hr treatment were collected. These results suggest that the toxic properties of DMBA in stimulating cell proliferation may function as an important cofactor in hepatocarcinogenesis.