Effect of the intrauterine contraceptive device upon the biochemical composition of human endometrium

Analysis of surface deposits on intrauterine contraceptive devices

Surface deposits on stainless steel contraceptive devices removed from the uterus after varying periods of insertion were examined and analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive analysis (XEDA), Augar electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry for microquantitative analysis. The data obtained were compared with the data for copper-bearing IUDs (TCu200) obtained by the same method. The wire coils of stainless steel IUDs which had been in situ for 5 years showed no obvious changes, but copper wire coils showed varying degrees of erosion after the same period of time. Analysis clearly showed that the wire coils of both types of IUD were encrusted with deposits. Deposition began earlier on copper-bearing IUDs than on stainless steel IUDs (27 days and 3 months after insertion, respectively). This process began earlier than has previously been reported in the literature. The amount of deposit increased with duration of insertion, but there were large individual variations. The microanalysis showed that the principal component of the deposit on both types of IUD was calcium, which was present in the crystal form of calcium carbonate. The substances attaching to the crystals were similar to the nitrogenous organic compounds. We suggest that the mechanism regulating the deposited formation may be similar to that of calculus. The influence of these deposits on complications relating to IUD insertion, such as uterine bleeding and accidental pregnancy, is briefly discussed in this article. The subject should be studied in greater detail.

Intrauterine deposition of calcium on copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive devices

Copper-bearing intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) removed after various times in utero were examined by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis of the elements present. As time in utero increased these devices became increasingly calcified. This calcification may limit the release of copper from the devices and decrease the specific contraceptive effectiveness of copper over an enert plastic device. Conversely, any teratogenic effects attributable to the copper may decrease with time in utero and depend on the extent of calcification. Even though the amount of copper in the device is not significantly diminished after two years, devices should not remain in situ for over two years because calcium accumulation probably prevents further diffusion of copper. Calcification can begin as early as six months after insertion. Consequently a careful review of the amount of time a copper-containing IUD should be left in situ should be undertaken.

Effect of intrauterine copper on the nucleic acids, polysome pattern, and glycoprotein composition of the human endometrium

The modifications induced by the intrauterine release of copper in the macromolecular and glycoprotein composition of the proliferative and secretory human endometrium were studied. In addition, the endometrial changes produced in women users of copper-T intrauterine devices in the polysome pattern and in the content of ribonucleoprotein particles were determined during the secretory phase. A group of ten untreated normal women (control group) and 15 users of 200 mm.-2 copper-T intrauterine device were selected for this study from the outpatient clinic of the Hospital de Ginecologia y Obstetricia No. 2 del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. The main changes observed in the copper-T users were: a significant decrease in the endometrial content of RNA in both phases of the menstrual cycle, a significant decrease in protein in the secretory phase, and drastic changes in the fucose-sialic acid ratios, which decreased during the proliferative and increased during the secretory phases. Normal human secretory endometrium contained 4.89 plus os minus 0.28 (mean plus or minus standard error (S. E.) mg. ribonucleoprotein particle per gram wet weight, while the endometrium of the Cu-T users showed a significant decrease to 2.52 plus or minus 0.17 (mean plus or minus S. E.). In addition, the Cu-T induced a decrease in the heavy components of the polysome pattern with a concomitant increase in the lighter components.