The effects of prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure on the genitalia of pubertal Macaca mulatta. II. Male offspring
Thompson, R.S.; Hess, D.L.; Binkerd, P.E.; Hendrickx, A.G.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 26(6): 309-316
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 7252950 Document Number: 173445
To evaluate the potential embryotoxic and fetotoxic effects of in utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure on the developing offspring, 19 pregnant rhesus monkeys were administered 1 mg/day DES orally beginning on day 19 (group I), 100 (group II) or 130 (group III) of gestation and terminating on the day of natural birth or cesarean section. Of 10 male offspring, 5 are alive at 7 yr of age. At 4.5 yr of age, 3 of these 5 offspring exhibited 1 or more abnormalities of the external genitalia, including testicular hypoplasia, preputial adhesions and undescended testes. Semen analysis following rectal electroejaculation and testicular biopsies at 5.5 yr of age confirmed 2 cases of testicular hypoplasia. Semen evaluation, testicular biopsies and analysis of serum testosterone levels at 6.5 yr of age indicated normal testicular morphology and function in all DES-exposed males as compared to colony controls. DES may affect maturation of the reproductive tract as indicated by a delay in the normal breakdown of preputial adhesions in addition to gross and microscopic evidence of testicular hypoplasia during the postpubertal period between 4.5 and 5.5 yr of age. Further observations on breeding performance and fertility are required to evaluate the long-term effects of DES in this species.