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THE EFFECT OF A COPPER-RELEASING INTRAUTERINE DEVICE ON SPERM PENETRATION IN HUMAN CERVICAL MUCUS IN VITRO

Improvements in the acceptability and effectiveness of the IUD involve developments in design of its shape such as the Dalkon Shield (Davis, 1971), or the addition of a copper-releasing wire to the inert plastic material of the device, which was first reported by Zipper, Medel & Prager (1968). The copper could act at any stage in the reproductive process. It could interfere with sperm transport, destroy the fertilized egg or blastocyst, disturb the intrauterine environment preventing implantation, or might owe its effectiveness to a combination of actions.

In rats, the presence of copper in one uterine horn does not affect implantation in the other horn (Chang & Tatum, 1970), indicating that the effect is local. It was also observed in rats that a copper implant in the uterus did not interfere with fertilization but prevented