Blog written by Laboratory Staff Nisha
The most recent edition of Fertility and Sterility (March 15th, 2011) published a study on the biocompatibility of a new type of intrauterine device (IUD) that contains cupric ions in mice. Traditionally, non-hormone using IUDs contain metallic copper, which is toxic to sperm cells. For those who can’t remember all the way back to high school chemistry, the difference between the two types of particles is simple: a cupric ion is merely the charged form of copper. The use of cupric ions over copper seems beneficial, because it avoids the corrosion process that copper undergoes while in the cervix. During the corrosion process copper turns into cupric oxide deposits. These deposits interact with the endometrium which can result in side effects. The corrosion process also uses up the copper in the IUD, rendering the IUD ineffective.
The experimental cupric ion containing IUD was soaked in fetal bovine serum (FBS) for different amounts of time. The study showed no signs of corrosion, even after one year. However, the experimental IUD does contain silica. The study states that the silica nanoparticles are nontoxic at low dosages, but at high doses can induce cell membrane damage. In this study, no significant toxicity was found using the experimental IUD complex.
Overall, the study found that the cupric ion IUD is biocompatible with mice – it is more stable for a longer amount of time than the copper IUDs used today. If no serious side effects are found using this new IUD in humans, then I look forward to the introduction of the cupric ion IUD as another option of hormone-free method of birth control.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/intrauterine-device-iud-for-birth-control
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12659782
Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 95, No. 4, March 15th 2011, pgs 1416-1420
