Modifying effect of ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate on the promoting stage of uterine sarcomogenesis induced in CBA mice by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and estradiol-dipropionate.

Administration of estradiol-dipropionate (EP) after the cessation of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) treatment increased the incidence of uterine sarcomas in CBA mice from 32.5 (DMH alone) to 62.5%. Ascorbic acid (AA) (0.3% in drinking water) given simultaneously with EP decreased the tumour incidence to 35%. Sodium ascorbate did not exert an inhibiting effect. AA inhibited the increase of uterine weight produced in mice by EP and did not influence the growth of mouse transplantable uterine sarcomas. The mechanisms of the antiestrogenic effects of AA are discussed.