Trends in blastocyst research with relevance to development of contraceptives: General discussion.
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Date
1984-07
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Abstract
The Indo-US symposium on Blastocyst Research concluded with a round table
discussion on trends in research with particular relevance to the development of
contraceptives. A number of events crucial to the initiation and maintenance of
implantation were identified and possibilities of developing a contraceptive modality
based on interference with these events in implantation were discussed.
There is a great demand from women and national family planning programmes for
simple, effective and safe methods of fertility regulation which can be self-administered
either post-coitally or for use when menses are delayed by a few days. The availability of
such contraceptive technology would limit exposure to fertility regulating agents only
to such occasions when coitus takes place or when there is a probability of pregnancy.
Moreover, if fertilization had indeed occurred, interruption would take place at the
earliest stage of pregnancy thereby reducing the excessive bleeding encountered with
later termination of pregnancy. Methods of post-coital contraception used so far have
been reserved primarily for emergency situations to protect women from unwanted
pregnancy resulting from rape or acts of unprotected coitus or failed barrier methods.
Probabilities that an act of coitus will lead to conception, with reference to the
estimated time of ovulation, is highest during the fertile period (9·6+ 2·6 days). The
objective of any form of contraception related to coitus would be to interfere with
implantation irrespective of the day when the drug is taken. A drug effective in
inhibiting implantation during the most fertile period is likely to be effective in other
periods of the menstrual cycle also.
The areas selected for discussion were: Uterine sensitivity
—What are the factors that regulate uterine sensitivity and maternal recognition of
the blastocyst?
—What are the factors involved in the development of uterine refractoriness? Can
refractoriness be induced?
—Are there specific uterine and blastocyst proteins involved in implantation?
—Is induction of a short luteal phase a possible approach to modify uterine
environment and render it hostile for implantation?
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Prasad M R N. Trends in blastocyst research with relevance to development of contraceptives: General discussion. Journal of Biosciences. 1984 July; 6(suppl_2): s121-s126.