INDUCTION OF DECIDUOMATA BY INTRAUTERINE COPPER IN THE RABBIT

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the decidual cell reaction is a specific response to Cu by comparing the deciduogenic capacity of physically similar IUDs [intrauterine devices] bearing Cu, Pt, Zn or Ni. The IUDs consisted of acrylic rods onto which rectangular pieces of metal foil were mounted so as to form a metal sleeve. The IUDs were inserted into the uterine horns of New Zealand White rabbits. Deciduomata were present in 5/6 Cu-containing horns, and none were present in any of the other horns, with the exception of 1 Zn- and 1 Pt-containing horn, both of which contained minute nodules adjacent to that end of the device distant from the metal sleeve. These were probably the result of irritation by the tip of the device since they were well away from the metal sleeves. The deciduomata in the Cu-containing horns were all related to the metal and ranged in size from a few small nodules to a massive deciduoma occupying over half the length of the horn. In 2 cases the decidual tissue was found above and below the metal but not actually in contact with it; possibly Cu2+ in very high concentrations inhibit the response. In 4/6 Ni-containing horns, small soft pads of tissue were found in contact with the metal. These were unlike the harder, mostly nodular deciduomata in the Cu-containing horns and consisted of hyperplastic but not decidualized stroma. The epithelium and glands had largely disappeared and an intense infiltration of leukocytes was evident at the luminal surface of the endometrium. In these 4 horns the Ni was almost exhausted, indicating a dissolution rate several times faster than that of Cu. Since the IUDs were almost identical in physical form, the deciduomata are attributable to the chemical nature of the Cu-IUD and probably to the Cu2+ released from it.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: