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EFFECT OF A COPPER IUD ON THE INCORPORATION OF [³H]THYMIDINE AND [5-³H]URIDINE INTO THE ENDOMETRIUM OF THE RABBIT DURING EARLY PREGNANCY

Summary.: The influence of a copper IUD on the incorporation of [³H]thymidine and [5-³H]uridine into the endometrium of the rabbit was studied during early pregnancy. The effect of the copper device was compared with those of polyethylene and platinum IUDs.

The comparison showed that the presence of a copper IUD resulted in a significantly lower incorporation of [³H]thymidine on the 3rd day of pregnancy and in a higher incorporation of [³H]thymidine and [5-³H]uridine on the 5th day of pregnancy. The increase in the total amount of DNA in the endometrium in early pregnancy was markedly reduced in the copper IUD-containing horn, and auto-radiography showed that the labelling frequency of epithelial cells in the endometrium was significantly reduced. A possible effect of the copper IUD on the stromal cells is discussed.

These effects of copper could be due either to an altered hormonal responsiveness of the endometrium in the presence of copper or to a `direct' effect of copper on nucleic acid metabolism.