Tumors and hyperplastic lesions in Syrian hamsters following transplacental and neonatal treatment with cigarette smoke condensate.

Cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) in olive oil was injected into outbred Syrian hamsters: in adults i.p. on the 10th--14th days of gestation, total dose 1.5--2.5 mg/g b.w.; in 12 to 14-days-old animals s.c., total dose 0.5--1.5 mg/animal. Following 15--25 months of observation benign and malignant neoplasms of various location were found in 2/58 (3.4%) females, treated during pregnancy; in 17/51 (33.3%) of their transplacentally exposed offsprings; in 5/53 (9.4%) of neonatally treated hamsters. In the last two groups females were more affected than males. Most frequently occurred tumors of adrenal glands, pancreas, female sex organs, and liver. No tumors appeared in controls, either untreated or injected with olive oil. In addition, hyperplastic lesions, in particular multiple liver cysts and cholangiomatosis were also observed, mainly in animals exposed transplacentally and as neonates.