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EFFECT OF COPPER ON ISOLATED RABBIT BLASTOCYSTS

The addition of metallic copper to an IUD has been shown to enhance its contraceptive effectiveness (Zipper, Tatum, Pastene, Medel & Rivera, 1969). A change occurs in the intrauterine environment (Chang, Tatum & Kincl, 1970), which may interfere with the development of the blastocyst. Since copper may act directly on the free-lying blastocyst, its effect was studied on the electrical membrane properties of the isolated-perfused 6-day rabbit blastocyst.

Blastocysts (2 to 3 mm average diameter) were collected and perfused as previously described (Cross, 1971) in an environmental chamber (Cross & Brinster, 1970) designed to secure the embryo during manipulations and maintain constant temperature (37° C), humidity and gas phase (5% C0₂ in air). Electrical measurements, made by techniques described previously (Cross, 1971), included short-circuit current (SCC), transmural potential difference (p.d.)