CONTRACEPTIVE ACTION OF INTRA-UTERINE DEVICES IN THE FERRET

Abstract

Summary. A simple suture, intra-uterine device (IUD), occupying almost the entire length of one uterine horn, was used to study the effect of an IUD upon conception in the ferret. After being mated, ferrets were killed at 168 and 240 hr and at 14 days: additional animals were examined at laparotomy 21 days after mating and allowed to complete pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. At 72 hr after mating, either the IUD or the control ovary and Fallopian tube were removed from two groups of ferrets that were subsequently examined at laparotomy 21 days after mating. After completing their pregnancy or pseudopregnancy these ferrets were mated for a second time and killed at 14 days. An IUD was not completely contraceptive in the ferret, but it induced pre-implantation elimination of embryos from both uterine horns.