What is the effect of diethylstilbestrol?
Women who were exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero may have structural reproductive tract anomalies, an increased infertility rate, and poor pregnancy outcomes. However, the majority of these women have been able to deliver successfully.
What is the function of Stilbestrol?
What is DES? Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen. It was prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, premature labor, and related complications of pregnancy (1).
How does diethylstilbestrol affect the endocrine system?
“In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) or bisphenol-A (BPA) increases EZH2 expression in the mammary gland: An epigenetic mechanism linking endocrine disruptors to breast cancer.” Hormones and Cancer 1 (2010): 146–55.
What are the negative effects of DES?
DES was classified in the year 2000 as carcinogenic to humans. The deleterious effects induced by DES are very extensive, such as abnormalities or cancers of the genital tract and breast, neurodevelopmental alterations, problems associated with socio-sexual behavior, and immune, pancreatic and cardiovascular disorders.
What are the side effects of diethylstilbestrol in dogs?
Symptoms of an adverse effect include lethargy, depression, pale mucous membranes, abnormal vaginal discharge, loss of appetite and bleeding from the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Diethylstilbestrol can also increase the risk of uterine infections (pyometra) when given to intact (unspayed) female dogs.
What is the mechanism of action of diethylstilbestrol?
Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic, nonsteroidal form of estrogen. A well-known teratogen and carcinogen, diethylstilbestrol inhibits the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, thereby blocking the testicular synthesis of testosterone, lowering plasma testosterone, and inducing a chemical castration.
What did DES cause?
It wasn’t until 1971 that the FDA discovered DES could cause several serious health concerns, including a rare vaginal cancer in girls and women. After that, the drug was taken off the market. An estimated five to 10 million were exposed to DES in the womb from 1938-1971.
How does DES affect pregnancy?
And of all those exposed women who are successful in having at least one birth, 1 in 3 will have a preterm delivery due to DES….Women exposed to DES in the womb face increased cancer risk.
| Risks for DES-Exposed Daughters Compared to Non-Exposed | |
|---|---|
| Outcome | Increased Risk |
| Ectopic pregnancy | 3.7 times higher |
| Stillbirth | 2.4 times higher |
| Infertility | 2.4 times higher |