Transplacental hormonal carcinogenesis: diethylstilbestrol as an example.

Prenatal exposure to the potent synthetic estrogen DES has been associated with structural, functional, and long-term alterations, including neoplasia in both male and female offspring. The data summarized in this chapter provide the basis for studying the transplacental carcinogenic effects of other compounds, especially those with known estrogenic activity. Finally, since some of these described prenatal effects are apparently common to different species, experimental results can be predictive and informative in studying mechanisms of transplacentally induced neoplasia.