Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
06:18
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Diethylstilbesterol has gender-specific effects on weight gain and bone development in mice
Jovana Kaludjerovic1, Wendy E Ward
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A
|June 24, 2008
Summary
Neonatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in mice altered adult body weight and bone health. Females gained more weight and had stronger bones, while males experienced lower bone density and strength.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- Neonatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can permanently alter physiology.
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic estrogen known to affect reproductive and other estrogen-sensitive tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of neonatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure on body weight, bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength, and microarchitecture in adult male and female mice.
- To determine if these effects are gender-specific.
Main Methods:
- CD-1 mouse pups were exposed to DES (2 mg/kg bw/d) or control (corn oil) via subcutaneous injection from postnatal day 1 to 5.
- Body weight was monitored weekly.
- At 4 months of age, BMD, bone strength (e.g., peak load), and microarchitecture of lumbar vertebrae and femurs were assessed.
Main Results:
- DES exposure led to increased body weight in adult females but decreased body weight in adult males.
- Females exposed to DES exhibited significantly higher BMD and bone strength in lumbar vertebrae and femurs.
- Males exposed to DES showed reduced BMD and peak load at the spine, indicating adverse effects on bone health.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal DES exposure exerts significant gender-specific effects on body weight regulation and bone health in adult mice.
- These findings highlight the critical window of neonatal development for endocrine disruption and its lasting impact on skeletal integrity.
