Effect of Copper Intrauterine Devices on the Chemical Composition of Rabbit Oviduct Fluid

Abstract

Oviduct fluid, collected from 65 mature, female rabbits in estrus and in which a modified copper intrauterine device (IUD) was introduced by laparotomy in one of the uterine horns, was examined for chemical composition. No differences were noted for sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate between the two sides. The copper content was found to be significantly higher in the IUD side (12.80 ± 3.01 µg/l00 ml), as compared to the control side (9.0 ± 1.0 µg/l00 ml), the toxicity of which, to blastocyst development, has been reported in some cases. Total protein in the experimental side was significantly higher (258.52 ± 36.22 mg < 100 ml) than in the control side (156.67 ± 26.45 mg/l00 ml). The same was found for sialic acid, 5.30 ± 0,62 µg/ml, compared to 3.66 ± 0.27 µg/ml, suggesting that a part of the increased protein can be ascribed to glycoprotein. Oviduct fluid glucose was found to be lower in the copper IUD side than in the control side (10.5 ± 0.2 vs. 17.7 ± 0.3 mg/l00 ml). These findings may be explained on the basis of an inflammatory process, taking place in the side of the copper IUD, and should be used with cautiousness in adolescent, and nulligravidae women.

Ultrastructure of Rabbit Endosalpinx and Glycoprotein Pattern of the Oviduct Fluid in the Presence of Copper Intrauterine Devices

“…These as well as other reported changes [3] can be attributed to the presence and action of the copper ions in the oviduct milieu.…”

“…The fall in the percentage of total protein (by 13.7%) in the dry material is relative and can be explained by the presence of higher percent ages of sugars. In our previous work [3] we presented evidence of a higher protein content of the fluid in the tubes of rabbits with copper IUDs than in the control tubes; we suggested that this indicated a rise in the content of glycoproteins.…”

“…There was an enrichment in glycoproteins as evidenced by a higher sugar content in the protein residue of the fluid (28.7% higher). The synthesis of these glycoproteins, possibly resulting from the process of inflammation, could be related to the use of glucose as a precursor; indeed, glucose was found to be lower on the copper IUD side than on the control side [3]. The fall in the percentage of total protein (by 13.7%) in the dry material is relative and can be explained by the presence of higher percent ages of sugars.…”

“…In a previous study [3], changes were noted in some of the chemical components of the rabbit oviduct fluid which appear to be associated with the presence of copper ions found in the fluid of these oviducts.…”

“…The does were anesthetized with a 5% solution o f sodium pentobarbital (33 mg/kg body weight), and the vertical shaft of an IUD covered with the copper wire was introduced into one o f the horns, as described elsewhere [3]. According to the manufacturers (Searle Laboratories, High Wycombe, England) the coil of copper liberates 0.040-0.055 mg/day of ion copper to the vicinity.…”