Fetal DES Exposure associated with Cryptorchidism, Testicular Hypoplasia, Semen Abnormalities

Association of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero with cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and semen abnormalities

Abstract:

Association of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero with cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and semen abnormalities
In utero exposure to Diethylstilbestrol is associated with terrible side-effects in DES Sons.
  • Epididymal cysts and/or hypoplastic testes have been found in 31.5 per cent of 308 men exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero, compared to 7.8 per cent of 307 placebo-exposed controls.
  • Analyses of the spermatozoa have revealed severe pathological changes (Eliasson score greater than 10) in 134 diethylstilbestrol-exposed men (18 per cent) and 87 placebo-exposed men (8 per cent).
  • Further investigation of the 26 diethylstilbestrol-exposed men with testicular hypoplasia has revealed that 65 per cent had a history of cryptorchidism. Only 1 of the 6 placebo-exposed controls with testicular hypoplasia had a history of testicular maldescent.
  • Although none of our Diekmann’s lying-in study group has had carcinoma to date one must keep in mind the reported increased risk of testicular carcinoma in testes that are or were cryptorchid. A 25-year-old man who was not part of the study group was treated recently by us for a testicular carcinoma ( mixed anaplastic seminoma plus embryonal cell carcinoma) and he had a history of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero and cryptorchidism.

Sources: NCBI, J Urol. 1979 Jul;122(1):36-9., PMID: 37351, Association of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero with cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and semen abnormalities.

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