Abstract
COPPER wire wound around a portion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) greatly increases the effectiveness of the device1—the pregnancy rate, side effects, and expulsions are all decreased. These effects are related to the amount of wire present on the device in the uterus2. Although the exact mechanism by which the copper wire acts is not known, the effect is local, and there is evidence that the copper changes the endometrium. Another possible site of action of the copper is on the developing embryo within the uterus. Chang and Tatum3 demonstrated that blastocysts, briefly exposed to copper wire in utero, were able to develop when placed in normal uteri. Another study4, however, indicated that the blastocysts in copper-containing uteri disappear before implantation.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Zipper, J. A., Tatum, H. J., Pastene, L., Medel, M., and Rivera, M., Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec., 105, 1274 (1969).
Zipper, J. A., Tatum, H. J., Medel, M., Pastene, L., and Rivera, M., Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec., 109, 771 (1971).
Chang, C. C., and Tatum, H. J., Contraception, 1, 265 (1970).
Chang, C. C., Tatum, H. J., and Kincl, F. A., Fert. Steril., 21, 274 (1970).
Brinster, R. L., Exp. Cell Res., 32, 205 (1963).
Brinster, R. L., Advances in the Biosciences 4 (edit. by G. Raspe), 199 (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1970).
Brinster, R. L., J. Reprod. Fert., 10, 227 (1965).
Oster, G. K., Nature, 234, 153 (1971).
Oster, G. K., Fert. Steril., 23, 18 (1972).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BRINSTER, R., CROSS, P. Effect of Copper on the Preimplantation Mouse Embryo. Nature 238, 398–399 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/238398a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/238398a0
This article is cited by
-
Toxic effects of Zn++ and Cu++ on mouse blastocysts in vitro
Experientia (1982)
-
Effects of cadmium, lead and copper on rat preimplantation embryos
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (1980)
-
Copper-induced heart malformations in hamsters
Experientia (1979)
-
Influence of copper on the early post-implantation mouse embryo: An in vivo and in vitro study
Wilhelm Roux's Archives of Developmental Biology (1979)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
