Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 20, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Reproductive effects of in utero exposure to estrogen and progestin drugs
E Hemminki1, M Gissler, J Meriläinen
1National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Health Services Research Unit, Helsinki, Finland. elina.hemminki@stakes.fi
Objective:
To determine whether in utero exposure to estrogens and progestins other than diethylstilbestrol reduces fertility in offspring.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Setting:
Helsinki, Finland.
Patient(S):
One thousand eight hundred eighty-eight women and men exposed to female hormone drugs in utero from 1954-1963 and 2,044 age-matched controls.
Intervention(S):
None.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
The numbers and timing of live births and marriages for men and women and of unsuccessful pregnancies for women.
Result(S):
There were no differences between the exposed and control men in most outcome indicators. However, fewer exposed men than control men had their first liveborn child within a short time after getting married, and the mean time from the first to the second live birth was shorter. The former also was found for the women. The overall cumulative proportions of liveborn children and pregnancies were similar in the exposed and control groups, but younger exposed men and women had liveborn children and pregnancies somewhat later.
Conclusion(S):
Estrogen- and progestin-containing drugs as used in the study population did not have much impact on the fertility of offspring.
Related Concept Videos
Teratogenicity
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Oogenesis
Spermatogenesis
Gonadal and Placental Hormones
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
