Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic stilbene derivative hormone approved in 1954 to promote growth in cattle and sheep. DES had also been approved much earlier in humans. It was thought to prevent miscarriages in women, but the hormone later was linked to vaginal cancers in the daughters of women who were treated with the drug during pregnancy. Due to these concerns to human health DES has now been banned from sale and use in food producing animals throughout the world and regular screening of samples is essential to ensure DES is not being administered at farm level.
