Hydrogen peroxide formation in the rat uterus under hormone-induced conditions.

The production of hydrogen peroxide was quantitated in the uterus of cyclic, ovariectomized (treated with hormones) and pregnant (days 1-6 post coitum) rats. This phenomenon was found to be dependent on oestrogen. The uterine responsiveness to hydrogen peroxide was correlated with peroxidase-catalysed inactivation of oestrogens in this target organ.

Long-term effect of a continuous low dose of megestrol acetate on the genital organs and fertility of female rats.

PIP: Micro doses (1.5 mcg/rat/day) of megestrol acetate (6-methyl-17beta-acetoxypregna-4,6-diene-3,20 dione) were administered to 16 rats for 1 year to determine the effect on the genital organs and female fertility. No noteworthy ponderal or histologic effect of the genital organs or the pituitary was observed. However, uterus glycogen concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity were greatly reduced (versus controls, p.05 and p.01, respectively) while glucose-6-phosphate and lactic dehydrogenase activities increased significantly (versus controls, p.01). In the fertility performance test, 86% of the 14 controls showed positive mating compared with 50% for the treated group. By Day 10 of pregnancy many of the fetuses in the treated group were in the process of resorption. The factors contributing to pregnancy failure were inhibition of mating, implantation failure and fetal resorption.^ieng

Effect of 3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-P-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy) phenyl -7-methoxy chroman (centchroman) on the biochemistry of the fallopian tube and uterus of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

PIP: The biochemical effects of the nonsteroidal compound Centchroman were observed in healthy, adult, female rhesus monkeys. The compound was administered at the antifertility dose (.625 mg/kg) for 22 days in a cycle. No marked weight changes were seen in the Fallopian tube, ovary, adrenal or pituitary as a result of treatment. Uterine weight increased significantly, however (p less than .01). In the Fallopian tube, levels of glycogen and protein increased significantly (p less than .01), lactic acid decreased significantly (p less than .01), and nonprotein nitrogen was unchanged as a result of treatment. Similar changes were observed in the uterus, and in addition, total total phospholipid concentration rose significantly (p less than .01) in the uterus. The activities of beta-glucuronidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) in the Fallopian tube were unchanged due to treatment. Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and malic dehydrogenase activities were significantly stimulated (p less than .01) and lactic dehydrogenase activity was significantly depressed (p less than .01). In the uterus, beta-glucuronidase and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity were unaltered, however, the activities of ATPase and the dehydrogenases of glucose-6-phosphate, lactate and malate were markedly increased (p less than .01). It is suggested that the antifertility effect of Centchroman may be due principally to the ability of the compound to elicit estrogen-like responses in the Fallopian tube and uterus.^ieng

Effect of 2-phenyl-3-p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy) phenyl-beta-methoxy benzofuran hydrochloride (DBF) on the biochemistry of the fallopian tube and uterus of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

PIP: The effects of the nonsteroidal title compound (DBF) on the biochemical composition of the Fallopian tube and uterus were studied in the rhesus monkey. Monkeys received 2 mg/kg daily by mouth, which is the antifertility dose. The weight of the pituitary was significantly decreased (p less than .05) due to treatment, but the weights of the Fallopian tube, uterus, ovary and adrenal were unaltered. In both the Fallopian tube and uterus, DBF induced a significant increase (p less than .01) in the concentration of glycogen, protein and nonprotein nitrogen, and a significant decrease (p less than .01) in the concentration of lactic acid. The total phospholipid level in the uterus showed an increase (p less than .01) in the activities of adenasine triphosphatase (ATPase), malic dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) was seen. Lactic dehydrogenase activity fell (p less than .01) and the activity of beta-glucuronidase was unchanged. In the uterus, ATPase, malic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and lactic dehydrogenase activities increased significantly (p less than .01), beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase activities fell (p less than .01) and G-6-PD activity was unaltered. The antifertility effect of DBF may be due to its ability to elicit many biochemical effects similar to those induced by a typical estrogen.^ieng

Effect of di-norgestrel (13beta-ethyl-17alpha-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone, Wy 3707) on the reproductive organs of rabbit.

PIP: The effect of dl-norgestrel (13 beta-ethyl-17 alpha-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone, Wy 3707) on the biochemical makeup of rabbit ovary and uterus was investigated. 20 adult, healthy virgin female rabbits either received olive oil only or olive oil plus 12 mcg of norgestrel/rabbit/day for 30 days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last treatment. In the ovary protein concentration and activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) remained unaffected. However, in the uterus the level of protein was significantly elevated (p less than .01), the activities of G6PD and acid phosphatase were enhanced (p less than .05), and those of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and alkaline phosphatase were diminished (p less than .05). LDH and MDH in the uterus remained unchanged. The effect of norgestrel at this antiovulatory dose in rabbits consisted of a disturbance in the biochemical constituents of the uterus leading to a lowering of the ATPase activity and an impairment of the anaerobic mechanism of the organ.^ieng

Uterine bleeding in rhesus monkeys after insertion of polyethylene and copper containing polyethylene intrauterine contraceptive devices.

PIP: The effect of polyethylene devices, with or without copper, on the incidence of postinsertion bleeding episodes in rhesus monkeys is reported. 24 rhesus monkeys were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was fitted with the Lippes loop (No. 25). Group 2 was fitted with the loop with 2 cm copper wire (.2 mm diam.) wound around it. Group 3 was fitted with plain polyethylene T-device without copper, and Group 4 was fitted with copper-T (model TCu-200 L). Vaginal smears of all of the monkeys were examined every 12 hours for microscopic bleeding. 1 of the animals of each group showing frank uterine bleeding was sacrificed. The uterus was dissected out and processed for histological studies. The results showed that the incidence of postinsertion bleeding in rhesus monkeys varied according to the design and material of the devices. The severity of bleeding was markedly less with either the plain T-device or the T-device with copper, as compared to Lippes loop with or without this metal. The copper containing Lippes loop caused less bleeding in so far as duration and flow were concerned than the loop without copper. The severity of bleeding in animals fitted with plain T-device was less than that seen after insertion of the plain Lippes loop. This suggests that the design of the device is a crucial factor in bleeding. A comparison between plain T-devices and copper T-devices showed a beneficial action of copper in reducing the incidence of postinsertion bleeding.^ieng

Studies on physiology & biochemistry of cervix: response of rat cervix to a continuous low dose of megestrol acetate.

PIP: The long-term (12 months) effects of a continuous daily dose (1.5 mcg per animal) of megestrol acetate on the physiology and biochemistry of the rat cervix is described. Megestrol acetate treatment resulted in a decline in dry matter, protein, lactic acid, and acid phosphatase activity. Glycogen, phospholipid, and alkaline phosphatase also diminished but the difference was not statistically significant. Megestrol acetate caused vertical disappearance of the superficial keratinized layers of the epithelium.^ieng