Abstract
PREGNANCY has been terminated in animals and/or humans by oestrogens1–3, androgens4,5, anti-oestrogens6,7 prostaglandins8–10, and various non-steroidal non-hormonal agents6–11. The mechanism of action of these agents has not been defined and effectiveness varies with the species. Elevated levels of endogenous prostaglandins (PGs) may be associated with toxaemia of pregnancy and habitual abortion12. PG may also alter foetal and placental blood flow13,14. A compound that inhibits PG metabolism—thereby elevating PG levels—could possibly interrupt pregnancy. This report describes a new class of non-hormonal compounds, which are 100% effective as anti-fertility agents in several species of animals, and also outlines studies on the effect of these compounds on PG synthesis and metabolism in rat placenta.
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
Burdick, H. O., Whitney, R., and Pincus, G., Anat. Record, 67, 513 (1937).
Greenwald, G. S., J. exp. Zool., 135, 461 (1957).
Morris, J. M., and VanWagenen, G., Am. J. Obst. Gynec., 96, 804 (1966).
Harper, M. J. K., Endocrinology, 81, 1091 (1967).
Naqvi, R. H., and Warren, J. C., Steroids, 18, 731 (1971).
Lerner, L. J., in Contraception: The Chemical Control of Fertility (edit. by Lednicer, D.), 161 (Dekker, New York, 1969).
Morris, J. M., VanWagenen, G., McCann, T., and Jacob, D., Fert. Steril., 18, 18 (1967).
Labsetwar, A. P., Fedn. Proc., 33, 61 (1974).
Pharris, B. B., and Behrman, M. R., The Prostaglandins, 1, (edit by Tamwell, P. W.), 347–363 (Plenum, New York, 1973).
Anderson, G. G., and Speroff, L., The Prostaglandins, 1, (edit by Tamwell, P. W.), 365–389 (Plenum, New York, 1973).
Duncan, G. W., and Pharris, B. B., Fedn Proc., 29, 1232 (1970).
Alam, N. A., Clary, P., and Russell, P. T., Prostaglandins, 4, 363 (1973).
Craft, I. L., Scrivener, R., and Dewhurst, C. J., J. Obstet. Gynaec. Br. Commonw., 80, 616 (1973).
Novy, M. J., Piasecki, G., and Jackson, B. T., Prostaglandins, 5, 543 (1974).
Carminati, P., Luzzani, F., and Lerner, L. J., Prostaglandins, 8, 205 (1974).
Flower, R. J., Cheung, H. S., and Cushman, D. W., Prostaglandins, 4, 325 (1973).
Lerner, L. J., Galliani, G., Mosca, M. C., and Omodei-Salé, A., Fedn Proc., 34, 338 (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LERNER, L., GALLIANI, G., CARMINATI, P. et al. Anti-fertility drugs: novel non-hormonal compounds that inhibit prostaglandin metabolism. Nature 256, 130–132 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/256130a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/256130a0
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.
