Pathological Seman and Anatomical Abnormalities of the Genital Tract in Human Male Subjects Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol in Utero

Abstract

The in utero effects of diethylstilbestrol on the human male genital tract are reported in the followup study of male offspring of mothers treated with diethylstilbestrol. Anatomical and functional abnormalities were significantly greater in male patients exposed to diethylstilbestrol compared to male controls whose mothers were all participants in a prospective, randomized double-blind study on the effects of diethylstilbestrol on pregnancy during the early 1950''s. Epididymal cysts, hypotrophic testes and capsular induration of the testes were among the more common genital lesions found in more than 25% of 159 male patients exposed to diethylstilbestrol compared to a 6.8% incidence in 161 male controls. Spermatozoal analyses revealed severe pathological changes (Eliasson score more than 10) in 32% of 31 male patients exposed to diethylstilbestrol and 0% of 20 male controls. Abnormal findings on physical examination combined with severe sperm abnormalities (Eliasson score more than 10) were found in 23% of the male patients exposed to diethylstilbestrol vs. none of the male controls. Cytologic examinations revealed no malignant cells from urine samples before and after prostatic massage or ejaculation, prostatic fluid and aspirates from epididymal cysts.