Title: Research on new approaches to pregnancy termination: ethanol abortifacient activity-animal and human data. A preliminary report.

POPLINE Document Number: 797135

Author(s):

Dubin NH
Burkman RT Jr
King TM
Parmley TH
Blake DA
Cox RT

Source citation:

In: Zatuchni GT, Sciarra JJ, Speidel JJ, eds. Pregnancy termination: procedures, safety, and new developments. Hagerstown, Maryland, Harper and Row, 1979. :8-15. (PARFR Series on Fertility Regulation)

Abstract:

The effectiveness of locally applied ethanol in terminating pregnancy in cynomolgus monkeys is described, and initial results of the Food and Drug Administration approved phase 1 studies in humans are presented. Following intrauterine injection of 70% ethanol in cynomolgus monkeys, there appeared to be immediate necrosis of the superficial endometrium in regions that are covered by placenta. The damage was observed in all regions of the uterus whether the injection site was at the fundal or cervical end of the uterus. This indicates that the ethanol spreads between the fetal membranes and the endometrium for the entire length of the endometrial cavity. Some placental necrosis was seen but the damage did not appear to be as extensive as that noted in the endometrium. No histologic damage was observed in either the tubes or ovaries of the 3 monkeys who were subjected to hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. The endometrial damage appeared to be reversible. Intrauterine instillation of 2 ml 35% or 70% ethanol appeared to be well tolerated in nonpregnant human subjects. Subsequent histologic evaluation showed superficial necrosis of the endometrium between 1 and 24 hours following injections. Similar laboratory studies, in which intrauterine 70% ethanol was administered to nonpregnant rhesus monkeys, showed repair of endometrial tissue beginning at 1 week, with normal endometrium observed 1 month after alcohol injection. The findings suggest that menstrual regulation might be effected by a simple intrauterine injection of ethanol.

Keywords:

Alcohols
Abortion
Research and Development
Organic Chemicals
Ingredients and Chemicals
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Technology
Economic Factors