Diethylstilbesterol as a Contaminant in Mink Feeding.
Diethylstilbesterol, a synthetic estrogen, has presented a problem to the mink industry in the United States since 1949 and in Canada since 1958. This hormone is ingested by mink, as a contaminant in their feed, when they consume meat by-products that contain residual amounts of the compound. Various conditions have been observed following contamination with this drug:1. Sterility in the female.2. Late abortions.3. Aglactia and loss of kits in first few days of life.4. Sterility and lack of desire to mate on the part of the male.5. Poor growth in young mink.6. An increased incidence of urinary calculi. Reference is made to the literature on the work that has been done to prove or disprove the above effects attributed to this drug. Three case reports are presented as clinical evidence of the effects of the DES hormone. These cases occurred within a 10 mile radius of the Ontario Veterinary College. Mention is also made as to the source of the contaminated feed.
Mills
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