Genital abnormalities and abnormal semen analyses in male patients exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero.

48 male patients exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES) were studied urologically, retrospectively, to determine residual complications. 29 of the 48 males had genital abnormalities when examined. In addition, only 33% of these patients had normal seman analyses (by the Eliasson scoring method). Other parameters measured included levels of alpha-fetoprotein and beta-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin, but none of the subjects had elevations of these compounds. Genital abnormalities discovered on examination included varicoceles, epididymal cysts, hypoplastic testes, and undescended testes. This high incidence of genital abnormalities and semen deficiency suggests that males as well as female patients exposed in utero to DES should be given periodic examinations for genital abnormalities. As an obvious corollary, histories of DES should be solicited from all patients in urology practices.