Association of Diethylstilbestrol Exposure in Utero With Cryptorchidism, Testicular Hypoplasia and Semen Abnormalities

Abstract

Epididymal cysts and/or hypoplastic testes were found in 31.5% of 308 men exposed to diethylstilbestrol [DES] in utero, compared to 7.8% of 307 placebo-exposed controls. Analyses of the spermatozoa revealed severe pathological changes (Eliasson score > 10) in 134 DES-exposed men (18%) and 87 placebo-exposed men (8%). Further investigation of the 26 DES-exposed men with testicular hypoplasia revealed 65% 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 the Dieckmann''s lying-in study group has had carcinoma to date there is reported increased risk of testicular carcinoma in testes that are or were cryptorchid. A 25 yr old man who was not part of the study group was treated recently for a testicular carcinoma (a mixed anaplastic seminoma plus embryonal cell carcinoma) and he had a history of DES exposure in utero and cryptorchidism.