Antifertility effectiveness of a novel polymer matrix composite and its influence on the endometrium in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).
Contraception 2019;
100:132-136. [PMID:
30980831 DOI:
10.1016/j.contraception.2019.03.049]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S)
To explored the antifertility effectiveness and influence on the endometrium of a micro-copper/low-density polyethylene/methyl vinyl silicone rubber (Cu/LDPE/MVQ) composite in rhesus macaques.
STUDY DESIGN
Healthy reproductive aged female rhesus macaques underwent abdominal hysterotomy for surgical placement of either the experimental Cu/LDPE/MVQ composite (Cu/LDPE/MVQ, n=5), bare copper wire (Cu, n=5), or hysterotomy only sham-operation group [(SOI, n=4), (SOII, n=6)]. Females in the Cu/LPDE/MVQ, Cu, and SOI groups were housed with fertile males for approximately three menstrual cycles. We assessed pregnancy by hysterectomy. Females in the Cu/LDPE/MVQ, Cu, and SOII groups underwent hysterectomy at about 4 months post-insertion for histologic assessment of morphologic changes of the endometrium, evaluation of materials using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and evaluation of the inflammatory markers, including substance P receptor (SPR), associated with endometrial bleeding using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses.
RESULTS
All of the SOI group females became pregnant (4/4, 100%). In contrast, no pregnancies occurred in either the Cu/LDPE/MVQ (0/5, 0%) or Cu (0/5, 0%) groups. We observed histologic features consistent with chronic endometrial inflammation in all females of the Cu group, but none of the SOII or Cu/LDPE/MVQ animals. Levels of inflammatory markers were significantly increased in the Cu group, compared with SOII or Cu/LDPE/MVQ groups (p<.05). SEM showed evidence of corrosion in the Cu wire not seen in the Cu/LDPE/MVQ group.
CONCLUSION(S)
Cu/LDPE/MVQ material provided a contraceptive effect similar to Cu in macaques, with a lower impact on inflammation and inflammatory markers of the endometrium.
IMPLICATIONS
This study demonstrates the possibility of a Cu/LDPE/MVQ composite as an alternative to conventional copper device materials.
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