Biomaterial Database

Are oestrogens involved in falling sperm counts and disorders of the male reproductive tract? 1993

R M Sharpe, and N E Skakkebaek

MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, Centre for Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, UK.

The incidence of disorders of development of the male reproductive tract has more than doubled in the past 30-50 years while sperm counts have declined by about half. Similar abnormalities occur in the sons of women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy and can be induced in animals by brief exposure to exogenous oestrogen/DES during pregnancy. We argue that the increasing incidence of reproductive abnormalities in the human male may be related to increased oestrogen exposure in utero, and identify mechanisms by which this exposure could occur.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007529	Isoflavones	3-Phenylchromones. Isomeric form of FLAVONOIDS in which the benzene group is attached to the 3 position of the benzopyran ring instead of the 2 position.	3-Benzylchroman-4-One,3-Benzylidene-4-Chromanone,Homoisoflavone,Homoisoflavones,Isoflavone,Isoflavone Derivative,3-Benzylchroman-4-Ones,3-Benzylidene-4-Chromanones,Isoflavone Derivatives,3 Benzylchroman 4 One,3 Benzylchroman 4 Ones,3 Benzylidene 4 Chromanone,3 Benzylidene 4 Chromanones,Derivative, Isoflavone,Derivatives, Isoflavone
D008297	Male		Males
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011297	Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects	The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH.	Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D004054	Diethylstilbestrol	A synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen used in the treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal disorders. It was also used formerly as a growth promoter in animals. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), diethylstilbestrol has been listed as a known carcinogen. (Merck, 11th ed)	Stilbestrol,Agostilben,Apstil,Diethylstilbestrol, (Z)-Isomer,Diethylstilbestrol, Disodium Salt,Distilbène,Stilbene Estrogen,Tampovagan,Estrogen, Stilbene
D004967	Estrogens	Compounds that interact with ESTROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of ESTRADIOL. Estrogens stimulate the female reproductive organs, and the development of secondary female SEX CHARACTERISTICS. Estrogenic chemicals include natural, synthetic, steroidal, or non-steroidal compounds.	Estrogen,Estrogen Effect,Estrogen Effects,Estrogen Receptor Agonists,Estrogenic Agents,Estrogenic Compounds,Estrogenic Effect,Estrogenic Effects,Agents, Estrogenic,Agonists, Estrogen Receptor,Compounds, Estrogenic,Effects, Estrogen,Effects, Estrogenic,Receptor Agonists, Estrogen
D004968	Estrogens, Non-Steroidal	Non-steroidal compounds with estrogenic activity.	Estrogens, Nonsteroidal,Estrogens, Non Steroidal,Non-Steroidal Estrogens,Nonsteroidal Estrogens
D005260	Female		Females
D005832	Genital Diseases, Male	Pathological processes involving the male reproductive tract (GENITALIA, MALE).	Male Genital Diseases,Disease, Male Genital,Diseases, Male Genital,Genital Disease, Male,Male Genital Disease
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man