Study: Synthetic estrogens may be harmful

NEW HAVEN, Conn., April 2 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have determined why synthetic estrogens, such as found in some plastics, can hurt a developing fetus.

Yale School of Medicine researchers said previous studies showed exposure to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol, or DES, alters the expression of HOXA10 -- a gene necessary for uterine development -- and increases the risk of cancer and pregnancy complications in female offspring.

In the new study, the team studied DNA from the offspring of 30 pregnant mice injected with DES. They found changes in certain regions of the HOXA10 gene persisted into adulthood, indicating exposure to DES and similar substances results in lasting genetic memory.

"We found HOXA10 protein expression was shifted to the bottom portion of the uterus in the female offspring," said Dr. Hugh Taylor, a Yale professor who led the study. "We also found increased amounts of the enzyme responsible for changes in the DNA. Rather than just changing how much of the protein is there, DES is actually changing the structure of the HOXA10 gene.

The study that included Jason Bromer and Jie Wu was recently presented in San Diego during the annual scientific meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation.