Differential effect of parity on rat mammary carcinogenesis after pre- or post-pubertal exposure to radiation

Radiation exposure during the peri-pubertal period is a proven risk factor for breast cancer, whereas parity is an established protective factor. The present study investigated whether parity imposes differential protective effects against radiation-induced rat mammary carcinoma depending on the age at exposure. Pre- and post-pubertal female rats, irradiated or left unirradiated, were mated and allowed to nurse until weaning or left unmated. Appearance of mammary tumors was monitored, and serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were measured following weaning. Carcinomas were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and the cell proliferation marker Ki-67. Parity reduced the risk of carcinoma in unirradiated and pre-pubertally irradiated rats but not post-pubertally irradiated rats. Although radiation exposure increased serum progesterone level, parity after pre-pubertal exposure significantly decreased the elevated progesterone to a normal level, reflecting a protective effect. Moreover, parity significantly decreased the proportion of hormone receptor–positive carcinomas after pre-pubertal exposure. Parity was also related to the observed positive association between progesterone receptor and Ki-67 indices in cancer tissue, implying progesterone receptor–dependent cell proliferation. Thus, parity protects against radiation-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis depending on the age at exposure; the mechanisms may involve changes in hormone levels and cancer tissue.