Enhanced endometrial response to a magnetic intrauterine device: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of an intrauterine device producing a static magnetic field on the endometrial histology of rats.


METHODS
The experiments involved 20 adult female Wistar albino rats that were divided into five groups. Group 1 was sham-operated; Groups 2, 3 and 4 had a copper intrauterine device (IUD), an uncovered intrauterine magnet (IUM) or an intrauterine silicone-coated IUM, respectively, inserted into one of the uterine horns; in Group 5 an uncovered IUM was implanted subcutaneously. Six days later the rats were sacrificed; endometrial and subcutaneous tissues were harvested and examined microscopically.


RESULTS
Copper IUDs caused classical cellular infiltration through the endometrium. IUMs, producing a static magnetic field, also caused leucocyte and monocyte infiltration of the endometrium and, in addition, a significant leucocyte accumulation over the endometrial surface.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study reveals that an intrauterine magnet induces the accumulation of leucocytes in the uterine cavity in addition to the classic stromal infiltration caused by commercially available nonmagnetic IUDs. This activity could contribute to a greater efficacy of intrauterine contraception and should be investigated further.
Celik
Onder
O
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. oncelik@inonu.edu.tr
Ugras
Murat
M
Hascalik
Seyma
S
Aydin
N Engin
NE
Abbasov
Teymuraz
T
D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004717:Endometrium / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008280:Magnetics / Q000379:methods; D009000:Monocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar