Suppression of fertility by intrauterine copper and zinc in rabbits. A new approach to intrauterine contraception.

Abstract

The effect of copper silver tin and magnesium on implantation rates in rabbits was studied introducing a wire of each of these metals separately into the inferior portion of 1 uterus near the cervical os. Silver tin and magnesium had no effect on implantation rates. The presence of copper or zinc produced remarkable decreases in the number of implantations in the respective horn. The importance of the catalytic contraceptive effect of copper lies in its low toxicity and in the possibility of its controlled slow liberation by a wire. This concept of contraception with metallic oligoelements adds a new dimension to contraceptive mechanism.