Clinical performance of the TCu 380A and TCu 220C IUDs in four developing country family planning clinics.

The clinical performance of the Copper T 380A (TCu 380A) and the Copper T 220C (TCu 220C) intrauterine devices (IUDs) were evaluated for 12 months in a group of women who had one of the two IUDs inserted. Results are from a randomized clinical trial conducted at four collaborating research sites located in two developing countries. The gross cumulative life-table pregnancy rate of the TCu 380A IUD was found to be lower than that of the TCu 220C IUD at 12 months (0.3 and 0.8, respectively), although this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences between the two study IUDs were not found with regard to IUD expulsion or IUD removal due to bleeding/pain, personal reasons, medical reasons, or planned pregnancy. No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of experiencing menstrual disturbances (i.e., dysmenorrhea, intermenstrual pelvic pain or intermenstrual bleeding) between the two IUD groups. These data suggest that the TCu 380A and TCu 220C IUDs are both appropriate options for contracepting women. The TCu 380A IUD, however, may be a more appropriate option for those women wishing to space births over a longer period of time.

Human oviductal fluid proteins. II. Preparation of an antiserum to a human oviductal fluid protein: existence of autoantibodies against it in some sera.

Rabbit antisera elicited by injection of human oviductal fluid (HOF) and rendered specific by absorption with human kidney and human serum revealed the presence of two possibly HOF-specific antigen(s). One antigen was detected by immunodiffusion in 14 of the 14 fluids tested with one of these antisera. HOF-specific antigen was shown to be a beta-globulin by immunoelectrophoresis. A second antigen was seen in two samples. That autoantibodies might exist directed against HOF-specific antigen in the donor's serum was suggested by immunodiffusion experiments in which 4 of the 13 sera tested gave lines of precipitation when reacted against the corresponding oviductal fluid. In one instance, this line was the same as one of the two lines seen in tests using rabbit antiserum.

Human oviductal fluid proteins.

The popularity of mini-laparotomy provided an opportunity to easily collect human oviductal fluid (HOF). Volumes of HOF produced by two oviducts per 24 hours correlated positively with serum estradiol determinations, while protein concentration in HOF was inversely proportional to estrogen levels. Estrogen appeared to stimulate the production of oviductal fluid in women. The greatest volumes of HOF were observed at midcycle, coincident with the estrogen peak. Protein concentration was lowest at the time of ovulation and highest immediately before and after menstruation. In a large percentage of patients, certain proteins made their appearance at the time of ovulation and receded or disappeared within three to five days thereafter. By electrophoresis, these proteins were seen in the albumin region and in the beta globulin region.