| Abstract: | A direct effect of benz(a)pyrene (BP) was studied on organ cultures from embryonic lungs of C57Bl and A mice. The toxic effect of 3, 6, 12 micrograms/ml BP was observed in alveolar epithelium and mesenchymal cells after 7 days of cultivation. After 14-21 days diffuse and focal hyperplasia of the epithelium was discovered in 35.5, 20.0 and 36.1% of treated cultures (explants) from embryonic lungs of C57Bl mice and in 45.5, 56.3 and 53.2% of treated explants from embryonic lungs of A mice. Squamous epithelial metaplasia was observed in 3.0, 2.2 and 4.2% of treated explants from C57Bl mice and in 2.4, 10.4 and 23.4% of treated explants from A mice. Total papillary adenomatous growth of the epithelium was discovered in 10.0, 18.3 and 36.1% of treated explants from embryonic lungs of A mice only. Thus, a direct effect of BP on organ cultures from embryonic lungs of C57B1 and A mice depended on BP doses and the mouse line. |
