Prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES): Childhood play behavior and adult gender-role behavior in women

Jennifer D. Lish, Heino F.L. Meyer-Bahlburg, Anke A. Ehrhardt, Bayla G. Travis, Norma P. Veridiano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Data from lower mammals suggest a masculinizing or defeminizing influence of pre- or perinatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure on various aspects of the sex-dimorphic behavior (including juvenile rough-and-tumble play) of genetic females. However, three previous studies on childhood play and adult gender-role behavior in human females have led to ambiguous results. In a follow-up study of 60 women with prenatal exposure to DES and 26 controls, we used psychometrically well-designed multi-item scales based on self-report inventories for the assessment of these aspects of behavior. No effects of DES could be demonstrated. We conclude that, at the doses studied, prenatal DES exposure in human females has not led to behavioral masculinization or defeminization of childhood play and adult gender-role behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)423-441
Number of pages19
JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • diethylstilbestrol
  • gender-role behavior
  • play behavior
  • prenatal estrogen exposure
  • psychosexual development

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