Effect of Prepuberty Castration on Subsequent Cancer Implantation

Male and female mice castrated during the first 7 weeks of life and implanted with cancer at later periods show a resistance definitely higher than do intact animals of the same age. This increased refractiveness is evident at 3 months after the operation but is more pronounced at 8 months to a year. Even castration in early adult life seems to increase the refractory state to later cancer inoculation. On the other hand, adult mice inoculated within a week after castration show slight if any evidence of increased resistance.