Progressive proliferative changes in the oviduct of mice following developmental exposure to diethylstilbestrol

Abstract

Structural malformation of the oviduct has been reported in experimental animal models and women following prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES). To study histological changes in the oviduct in the absence of gross structural malformation, neonatal CD-1 mice were treated with DES (2 micrograms/pup/day) on days 1-5 of age. Focal epithelial hyperplasia was present at 1 month of age in 16 out of 18 (89%) of the DES-treated mice. At 4 months of age, general epithelial hyperplasia with multiple gland-like structures into and through the muscle wall of the oviduct was observed in 90% of the treated mice; by 12 months of age, epithelial hyperplasia and pseudogland formation were seen in 100% of the DES-exposed animals. Epithelial hyperplasia and gland formation were not observed in control mice. The alteration induced by DES in the differentiation and proliferation of mouse oviductal epithelium suggests that the oviduct is a target for DES toxic effects. In addition, there was a progression of the epithelial changes with age. The histological changes described in this study may be partially responsible for the decreased fertility previously reported in this mouse model. Similar changes in the oviduct of DES-exposed women remain to be determined.