Renal Ultrastructural Alterations Following Administration of Diethylstilbestrol

Authors: Bilge ONARLIOĞLU, Yasemin GÜNAY, İsmihan GÖZE, Emel KOPTAGEL

Abstract: Diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonsteroid in structure, is an artificial estrogen derivative and is used as an anabolic agent. It is known that diethylstilbestrol causes genetic disorders and toxic effects leading up to carcinoma even in amounts below its residual levels. For this purpose, a dose of 60µm/kg/day of DES dissolved in 0,1 ml corn oil has been administered to rats by oral gavage for varying periods of 20, 50 and 100 days periods. Rat renal tissue samples, following routine electron microscopical procedure, have been examined by transmission electron microscopy. Following diethylstilbestrol administration, glomerular capilleries seemed dilated along with occasional basement membrane thickenings and degenerations in slit membrane. In addition, irregular endothelial cell fenestrae were observed. Distal tubular structure remained intact but in the proximal tubuli, cells with picnotic nuclei and dilated intracytoplasmic foldings were present. These histological alterations increased parallel to the duration of the dosage period. These findings suggest that the diethylstilbestrol usage may cause irreversible structural changes in rat renal tissue.

Keywords: Diethylstilbestrol, kidney, ultrastructure, rat.

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