Vaginal adenosis in Cebus apella Monkeys exposed to DES in utero.

ABSTRACT

Vaginal adenosis comparable to that seen in DES-exposed human newborns exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) was observed in 4 (100%) female Cebus apella monkey neonates exposed to DES in utero. Columnar Epithelium lined the vaginal canal and deep crypts in the underlying stroma. The ectocervix was markedly papillary and covered with columnar epithelium that was continuous with the endocervical epithelium. By comparison, the vagina of unexposed newborn and juvenile cebus monkeys up to 15 months of age was filled with a solid core of squamous cells that also covered the cervix and extended into the endocervix. Vaginal adenosis has been produced in mice by neonatal treatment with DES. The mouse model, however, excludes the fetoplacental unit. The cebus monkey provides a model for the investigation of teratogenic effects of intrauterine exposure to DES.