Preparation of sperm-free seminal plasma from human semen.

Whole human semen was centrifuged at various centrifugal forces to obtain sperm-free seminal plasma. Most samples of seminal plasma collected after centrifguation of up to 10,000 g were contaminated with spermatozoa. Centrifugation at 40,000 g yielded sperm-free seminal plasma in two thirds of the samples centrifuged. Filtration of whole semen with Millipore filters (pore size 0.45 mu) removed all spermatozoa.

Uterine bleeding in the rhesus monkey in response to various designs of intrauterine devices.

PIP: To study quantitative menstrual blood loss (MBL), 10 normally rhesus monkeys and 18 ovariectomized, hormonally supplemented monkeys (estradiol and progesterone) were inserted with IUDs: a silastic cylinder and 3 modifications the polyethylene Tatum T device. A 92% increase (p.01) in MBL was noted in the Y-T device monkeys (n=7) and a 70% increase (p.05) in the large oval T ones (n=5). MBL was unaffected by the small oval T, and by the cylindrical Silastic devices after the second postinsertion period. Intermenstrual bleeding was observed in 4 of 7 Y-T device animals but was uncorrelated with MBL. It was concluded that rhesus monkeys may serve as good research models for designing human IUDs.^ieng

Influences of copper and design of intrauterine devices on endometrial bleeding in monkeys.

PIP: Uterine bleeding in 8 rhesus monkeys was compared in response to plain vs. a specially fitted copper-wrapped IUD. All animals had utero-cutaneous surgical fistulas for accurate IUD insertion and removal. Daily observations for uterine bleeding between menstruations and quantitation of menstrual blood loss (MBL) were made. Following control periods of observation, each monkey was inserted with either a plain or a copper-wrapped IUD and then studied for 4 consecutive menstrual periods. Each IUD was especially fashioned to an estimate of individual uterine cavity size. Some were wrapped with pure copper wire of 30 sp mm surface area. In some animals the devices were later removed from the uterus, the copper wire taken off, and the plain polyethylene oval-Ts reinserted. In some animals originally wearing plain polyethylene devices, the IUDs were removed, wrapped with copper wire, and reinserted into the same monkeys. During the observed 4 consecutive preinsertion periods, MBL averaged 1.54 ml and was the same in the 4 cycles in which a plain polyethylene oval-T device was in place. No intermenstrual bleeding was observed, except slight spotting for the first 1 or 2 days. During the 4 cycles, with the copper-wound device present, mean MBL was 1.28 ml. Having individually fitted each uterine cavity with a best-fitting IUD was considered important. The addition of copper had not increased the bleeding. In humans, especially fitted contraceptive devices may minimize complications of bleeding and pain as compared with standard designs. Bleeding and pain have been the most frequent complications leading to removal of IUDs.^ieng