[Study on weekly low doses of mifepristone for contraception].
OBJECTIVE
To study whether weekly low dose of mifepristone (5 mg or 10 mg) is sufficient to prevent pregnancy.


METHODS
Thirty-nine women were randomly allocated to take mifepristone 5 mg (group A) or 10 mg (group B) doses once weekly starting on cycle day 2-3. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by enzymeimmunoassay (EIA), and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels by radioimmunassay (RIA). Serum mifepristone concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Morphometric analyses and progesterone receptor (PR), Dolichus biflorus agglutinin (DBA-lectin) and integrin alpha v beta 3 of endometrium were also measured.


RESULTS
There were 4 pregnancies out of 64 cycles in group A, and 3 out of 68 cycles in group B. Normal LH and FSH peak could be detected in the first treatment cycles, LH peak appeared on 15-17 d. The concentrations of P were (51.93 +/- 7.91) nmol/lL and (69.00 +/- 21.29) nmol/L in group A and B respectively. The average level of E2 was (407.81 +/- 89.27) pmol/L in group A, and (557.85 +/- 204.69) pmol/L in group B. Serum mifepristone level could be detected within 36 hours. The PR concentration in endometrium decreased significantly, but not of DBA-lectin, integrin alpha v beta 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of mifepristone 5 mg or 10 mg once weekly does not inhibit ovulation completely. The follicular phase prolonged slightly, and E2 levels were low following treatment. The endometrium showed delayed development. The clinical contraceptive effectiveness needs to be improved.
Cheng
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaoyang Hospital, Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing 100020, China.
Weng
L
L
Han
X
X
D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy
D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D015735:Mifepristone