A single intrauterine injection of the serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride reversibly inhibits embryo implantation in mice.
BACKGROUND
The study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) on embryo implantation in mice with a view to identifying whether it might be a suitable agent for postcoital contraception.


METHODS
The anti-implantation efficacy of AEBSF was determined by counting the number of visible implanted embryos on Day 8 of pregnancy following a single intrauterine injection of AEBSF at doses of 30, 300 and 3000 microg per mouse uterine horn on Day 3 of pregnancy. The reversibility of the inhibitory effect of AEBSF on implantation was further evaluated by observing the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy without AEBSF treatment.


RESULTS
A dose-dependent inhibitory effect of AEBSF on embryo implantation in vivo was observed. Morphological analysis revealed no significant cytotoxicity of AEBSF on the mouse uterine epithelia. Furthermore, the anti-implantation effect of AEBSF was reversible.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrauterine administration of AEBSF at an appropriate dose might provide a basis for the development of novel contraception.
Sun
Zhao-gui
ZG
National Population and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, China.
Shi
Hui-juan
HJ
Gu
Zheng
Z
Wang
Jian
J
Shen
Qing-xiang
QX
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D007267:Injections; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D013450:Sulfones; C002010:4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonylfluoride; C436409:Prss29 protein, mouse; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases