Reproductive outcomes in men with prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol.
OBJECTIVE
To examine prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure in relation to male reproductive outcomes.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Participants were identified through record review, clinical trial participation, or an obstetrics clinic.


METHODS
A total of 1,085 DES-exposed and 1,047 unexposed men.


METHODS
Participants were exposed prenatally to DES through the mother's obstetrics care or clinical trial participation.


METHODS
Infertility; never fathering a pregnancy or live birth; number of pregnancies or live births fathered.


RESULTS
We found little evidence that prenatal DES exposure affects the likelihood of never fathering a pregnancy or live birth, or influences the mean number of fathered pregnancies or live births. Our data suggest that DES-exposed men are slightly more likely to experience infertility (relative risk [RR] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.6). The DES dose and gestational timing did not influence infertility or the number of pregnancies or live births fathered, but results were inconsistent for dose effects on the likelihood of never fathering a pregnancy or a live birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal DES exposure may be associated with a slightly increased risk of having an infertility experience, but does not increase the likelihood of never fathering a pregnancy or a live birth, or the number of pregnancies or live births fathered.
Perez
Kimberly M
KM
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Buffalo, State of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Titus-Ernstoff
Linda
L
Hatch
Elizabeth E
EE
Troisi
Rebecca
R
Wactawski-Wende
Jean
J
Palmer
Julie R
JR
Noller
Kenneth
K
Hoover
Robert N
RN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol