ABSTRACT
PIP: Physicians at the School of Medicine at the University of Baghdad in Iraq took a biopsy of endometrial and cervical tissue from women between 25-40 years old before and after using a copper IUD. Researchers exposed each tissue type to autoradiography using 5% methyl tritiated thymidine to indicate active cell metabolism. They also examined each type with an electron microscope. Thymidine uptake fell as duration of a copper IUD was used. For example, 52% of the endometrial and cervical cells were viable before insertion of the copper IUD. After 5 months, thymidine uptake fell remarkably to 32%. It fell to 20% at 12 months, 10% at 18 months, and 6% at 36 months. The thymidine uptake between endometrial and cervical tissue was not statistically different. The major change in the cervix as observed under electron microscopy included a few to a significant number of lymphocytes between the epithelial cells. Apical protrusions remained the same in the secretory cells of the endothelial lining in the endometrium and the glands. In tissues exposed to a copper IUD, the mitochondria of cells in the lumen and glands swelled and the number of lysosomes increased. Further, the number of lymphocytes also increased in both the cervix and endometrium. These results demonstrate the inhibition of mitotic activity in cervical and endometrial cells brought on by a copper IUD, especially during the 1st 2 months. This action could adversely affect a fetus if pregnancy occurs at this time. The researchers suggest that health practitioners advise any pregnant woman who had only recently got a copper IUD to abort the fetus.^ieng
