[Study of SCE frequency before and after tubal sterilization with phenol mucilage].

PIP: SCE frequency was compared in the chromosomes of lymphocytes before and after chemical occlusive tubal sterilization with phenol mucilage compound made by 2 manufacturers. 88 women were recruited in the study, 50% of the cases were injected with either of the 2 compounds. Blood samples were drawn both before and from 7-490 days the sterilization procedures. SCE frequencies were counted from lymphocyte cell cultures by 7 chromosome groupings. The results showed that differences in the mean and range of SCE frequency in each cell before and after sterilization were not statistically significant. The difference of SCE frequencies for different time spans between the 2 blood tests was not statistically significant either, nor were significant differences observed between the cases using the 2 different compounds. It was concluded that the dosage of phenol mucilage compound used for chemical occlusive sterilization did not induce any increase in SCE frequency. Therefore, these compounds did not cause damage to DNA primary structure in human lymphocytes. If the sterilization procedures are done properly, few complications or failures would occur. This procedure could, hopefully, become a widely used permanent method of contraception among rural women.^ieng