In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol: adverse effects on the reproductive tract and reproductive performance and male and female offspring

Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero is associated with adverse effects on the reproductive tract in male and female progeny. These effects include epididymal cysts, microphallus, cryptorchidism, and testicular hypoplasia in male subjects and adenosis, clear cell adenocarcinoma, and structural defects of the cervix, vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes in female subjects. As these offspring have reached reproductive age, reports of adverse reproductive performance have been published, including still controversial reports of menstrual dysfunction and infertility. More well established are increased rates of spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, premature deliveries, and perinatal deaths, all contributing to an increase in overall adverse pregnancy outcome. Often there is correlation between the DES-associated anatomic abnormalities in the reproductive tract and the adverse reproductive performance. Altered male reproductive capacity is also suggested by diminished semen analyses and sperm penetration assays. A detailed review of these effects of in utero DES exposure is presented.

Perinatal outcome in Western Australia, 1968 to 1976. Perinatal mortality and birthweight

Trends in perinatal mortality and low birth-weight in Western Australia were analysed by means of a linked file of perinatal death and birth registration papers for the years 1968 to 1975. Stillbirth rates fell only slightly, and there was no improvement in low birthweight stillbirth rates. There was increased ascertainment of low birthweight stillbirths after 1968 when the definition changed. Neonatal mortality fell markedly after 1971, much of the fall being due to a shift in the birthweight distribution towards heavier babies, particularly in males. The proportion of babies with birthweights of less than 2500 g fell from nearly 6% to 5.3%. The impact of changes in the obstetric care of premature labour were minimal up to 1975, with rural (away from specialist care) low birthweights rates differing only slightly from metropolitan rates. Social and demographic differences probably account for the major differences in stillbirth rates between areas. Neonatal mortality rates in low birthweight babies showed a definite advantage for babies living close to neonatal intensive care facilities. However, decisions to expand neonatal intensive care facilities to rural areas need to take into account other adverse perinatal risk factors.

Spontaneous foetal losses in women using different contraceptives around the time of conception

Spontaneous losses between the 5th and 27th weeks of pregnancy were measured in a prospective study of 32 123 women whose contraceptive history around the time of conception was known. Diaphragm use prior to conception was associated with a significant reduction in second-trimester losses, after taking into account the effects of age, parity, race, marital status, alcohol use, and previous spontaneous or induced abortions. Women who used oral contraceptives and stopped them more than one month prior to their LMP experienced a deficit of first-trimester losses but conceptions occurring immediately after stopping the pill were followed by a small but nonsignificant increase in spontaneous abortions. After oral contraceptive failures there was an increase in first-trimester losses, but no change in the incidence of second-trimester ones. IUD failures were followed by a significant two-fold increase in the risk of both first and second-trimester losses: no differences were detected between the different brands.