Vaginal embryogenesis, estrogens, and adenosis.
The recent outbreak of vaginal adenocarcinoma and the associated genital tract anomalies in women with histories of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) has generated interest in vaginal embryogenesis and the influence of hormones on the developing genital tract. In this report the embryology of the vagina and the role of sex hormones in normal and abnormal sex duct development are presented and discussed in relation to the DES-induced anomalies. Although the teratogenic activity of DES in humans has been confirmed, the available evidence suggests that the clear cell carcinomas are initiated by endogenous estrogens and not the prenatally administered DES.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000009:adverse effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology*; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*
D004967:Estrogens; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol