Reproductive and hormone-related outcomes in women whose mothers were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES): A report from the US National Cancer Institute DES Third Generation Study
2019 Study Highlights
- Studies of mice indicate intergenerational effects of DES exposure; i.e., effects in the offspring of prenatally DES-exposed animals.
- We assessed DES exposure in relation to outcomes in a cohort of third generation women whose mothers were prenatally DES-exposed and unexposed.
- Results suggested DES-exposed third generation women have increased risks of menstrual aberrations, preterm birth, and possibly ectopic pregnancy.
- The data did not indicate an increase in same-sex orientation in DES-exposed third generation women.
- Menstrual aberration and preterm birth in the DES-exposed third generation suggest intergenerational effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in humans.
Abstract
Background
Animal studies suggest that prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) causes epigenetic alterations in primordial germ cells that affect the next generation, but human studies are sparse.
Methods
We assessed hormonally mediated outcomes in third generation women whose mothers were prenatally DES-exposed and unexposed.
Results
Compared to the unexposed, DES-exposed third generation women had an increased risk of irregular menses and amenorrhea; the respective prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in follow-up data were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.60) and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.49); associations were more apparent in third generation women whose prenatally DES-exposed mothers were affected by vaginal epithelial changes. The follow-up data also indicated an association with preterm delivery (relative risk (RR): 1.54; 95% CI: 1.35, 1.75).
Conclusion
DES third generation women may have an increased risk of irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhea, and preterm delivery, consistent with inter-generational effects of endocrine disrupting chemical exposure in humans.
Sources
- Reproductive and hormone-related outcomes in women whose mothers were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES): A report from the US National Cancer Institute DES Third Generation Study, ScienceDirect doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.12.008, Reproductive Toxicology Volume 84, March 2019, Pages 32-38.
- Featured image credit ars.els-cdn.
DES DIETHYLSTILBESTROL RESOURCES
- Source DES and transgenerational effects studies.
- Diethylstilbestrol DES studies listed by topics and date of publication.