Influence of copper salts on gonococci.
No difference in the incidence of gonorrhoea was observed at a venereal disease clinic between women using a copper-coil intrauterine device (IUD) and women using oral contraceptives. Experiments in vitro demonstrated that copper sulphate has a deleterious effect on Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but the presence of serum protects the gonococci from the toxic effect of copper ions.
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003300:Copper