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Low-dose antiprogestin treatment prevents pregnancy in rhesus monkeys and is reversible after 1 year of treatment.
- Source :
-
Human reproduction (Oxford, England) [Hum Reprod] 2003 Jan; Vol. 18 (1), pp. 69-76. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Background: Administration of low doses of an antiprogestin to rhesus monkeys permits ovarian/menstrual cyclicity, suppresses endometrial proliferation and prevents pregnancy without adverse or toxic side-effects after 5-6 months of daily treatment. The purpose of this study was to test the reversibility with respect to restoration of fertility after 1 year of low-dose antiprogestin treatment.<br />Methods: This experiment included a daily 1 year vehicle- or antiprogestin-treatment interval followed by a 9 month post-treatment interval for adult, female rhesus monkeys (n = 5/group) of proven fertility and exhibiting regular menstrual cycles. Co-habitation occurred with a male of proven fertility and vaginal swabs were taken to identify the presence of sperm during the treatment (antiprogestin females) and post-treatment intervals (vehicle and antiprogestin females).<br />Results: Mating and vaginal sperm were evident in all antiprogestin females during, and, in both groups, after treatment. Based on ultrasonography, none of the antiprogestin-treated females became pregnant during the treatment interval. However, upon cessation of treatment, pregnancy rates were similar between antiprogestin-treated (3/5) relative to vehicle-treated (4/5) females with live, healthy infants born in both groups. There were no differences between groups in fetal measurements, gestation lengths, live birth rates and infant weights.<br />Conclusions: The reversal of the anti-fertility effects of chronic, low-dose antiprogestin treatment supports the clinical feasibility of potent and selective antiprogestins as potential contraceptives for women.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Administration Schedule
Female
Fertility drug effects
Injections, Intramuscular
Male
Menstrual Cycle drug effects
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Contraceptive Agents, Female administration & dosage
Hormone Antagonists administration & dosage
Progestins antagonists & inhibitors
Steroids administration & dosage
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0268-1161
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Human reproduction (Oxford, England)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12525443
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deg014