Lactate dehydrogenase activity in cell subpopulations of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors.

Heterogeneity of cells in a solid tumor prevents direct assessment of enzyme activity of cell subpopulations by conventional homogenization techniques. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity before and after ovariectomy and following estrogen supplementation in density-defined cell subpopulations from DMBA-induced mammary tumors was determined. Different levels of LDH activity were found in different cell subpopulations. After ovariectomy the level of LDH activity declined. Restoration of the circulatory estrogen level resulted in increased enzyme activity. The highest level of LDH was found in a band which consisted mainly of poorly differentiated cells. This cell subpopulation also tended to be more responsive to endocrine manipulation.