Inguinal hernias, endometriosis, and other adverse outcomes in rhesus monkeys following lead exposure

The Harlow Center for Biological Psychology (HCBP) has a cohort of rhesus monkeys that were exposed to low concentrations of lead acetate in utero or as infants. The lead-exposed animals have been followed for 19 years and have developed four cases of inguinal hernia (males), three cases of endometriosis (females), and one case of immunoblastic lymphoma (male). Retrospective analysis of the data from the original lead-exposed cohort indicates that there is a significant association between lead exposure and the development of inguinal hernia (P=.04). Endometriosis was not significantly associated with lead exposure (P=.36). A case control study also was done to determine the significance of neonatal lead exposure as a risk factor for the development of inguinal hernia and endometriosis. The risk of developing inguinal hernia was significantly increased in lead-exposed animals (OR=20.0, P=.009). The association between endometriosis and lead exposure was also strong (OR=10.13, P<.001). No unmatched variables were associated with inguinal hernia, including body weight, history of diarrhea, constipation, or intussusception. No unmatched variables were highly associated with endometriosis, including body weight, age at first parity, and history of stillbirths. However, parity and the number of stillbirths were associated with lead exposure (P=.011 and P=.041, respectively). There was an association between endometriosis and a history of hysterotomy (OR=2.09) but it was not statistically significant (P=.38). No other cases of lymphoma in unexposed animals were identified using HCBP animal health records. These data indicate that early lead-exposed rhesus monkeys may develop illnesses later in life, especially inguinal hernia and endometriosis, more frequently than unexposed monkeys. Studies of human populations with early lead exposure are warranted to determine their incidence of inguinal hernia, endometriosis, and hematologic neoplasia.

Female mice carrying a ubiquitin promoter-Insl3 transgene have descended ovaries and inguinal hernias but normal fertility

Mouse knockout studies have indicated that Insl3 is involved in development of the gubernaculum in males, which is essential for normal testicular descent. To determine further the functions of Insl3 we have generated transgenic (TG) mice ubiquitously expressing Insl3. In these mice low levels of transgenic Insl3 mRNA are expressed in all tissues analyzed. In the TG females the ovaries descend to the base of the abdominal cavity during the fetal period, as a consequence of the formation of male-like gubernaculum structures. Furthermore, the gubernacular structures developed express androgen receptor, identically to the corresponding structures in males. At adult age the ligaments formed connect the uterine horns to the inguinal region of the abdomen. Ligaments are also formed between the lower and upper parts of the uterine horns, and these ligaments force the uterus to form a coiled structure. However, the TG females retain their reproductive functions, indicating that neither the location of the ovaries nor the macroscopic structure of the uterus is vital for reproduction. In addition, Insl3 expression causes inguinal hernia in females, suggesting that a combination of estrogen and Insl3 action disrupts proper development of the muscular and connective tissue structures of the abdomen. The lack of a phenotype in other tissues indicates that gubernaculum formation is the most sensitive biological response as regards Insl3.

Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity studies of an ayurvedic contraceptive--pippaliyadi vati

An ayurvedic contraceptive--pippaliyadi vati, containing equal parts of powdered seeds or fruit berries of Embelia ribes, fruit of Piper longum and borax powder was fed orally to two groups of pregnant rats: 2.5 times to one and five times to the other; the recommended dose for humans. The foetuses of mothers fed with pippaliyadi had low birth weights and were smaller in length. The mothers gained less weight during gestation. Developmental defects of soft tissues and skeletons were analyzed. There were instances of herniation of the intestines into the umbilical cord in foetuses of mothers who were administered pippaliyadi. The control and the gum acacia groups did not show such herniation.

The fetal trimethadione syndrome

Three families are described in which each of the mothers took trimethadione during pregnancy. From a comparison of siblings in each family and of others exposed to trimethadione in utero, a specific phenotype is delineated. Features included in the fetal trimethadione syndrome are developmental delay, speech difficulty, V-shaped eyebrows, epicanthus, low-set ears with anteriorly folded helix, palatal anomaly, and irregular teeth. Additional anomalies in some of the patients include intrauterine growth retardation, short stature, microcephaly, cardiac anomaly, ocular anomaly, hypospadias, inguinal hernia, and simian creases.