Nuclear DNA and Histologic Studies of Genital Lesions in Diethylstilbestrol-exposed Progeny: II. Intraepithelial Glandular Abnormalities

Abstract

This study has analyzed the nuclear DNA content of intraepithelial glandular lesions in diethylstilbestrol (DES)-exposed offspring. The endocervical cells and endometrial–tubal cells present in the vaginal adenosis and pericervical collars had a euploid distribution. However, greater proliferative activity was found among the endometrial–tubal cells. In the cells of vaginal adenosis of a postpartum woman without a confirmed history of maternal exposure to DES, a polyploid pattern was found, indicating that endometrial–tubal cells underwent hyperplastic changes under the influence of hormonal stimulation. In an atypical adenosis derived from endometrial–tubal cells, an aneuploid pattern was found. Based on these findings, it is suggested that endometrial–tubal cells have a greater proliferative potential than endocervical cells.