Effect of intrauterine devices on sperm transport in the human being: preliminary report

This investigation was designed to determine the effect of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) on the early phase of sperm transport. Previously we have shown that in normal midcyle subjects the maximal number of sperm recovered from the oviducts occurred between ten and 45 minutes after vaginal insemination. Four normal subjects, three of whom had IUD's in situ for at least eight months (copper T, Dalkon shield, and loop) and one a loop for one month, were studied in a similar manner. All subjects were inseminated at midcycle and had bilateral abdominal salpingectomies 15 to 30 minutes after insemination. No sperm were present in the oviducts of any of the subjects. The results of this study indicate that the IUD interferes with sperm transport in the human being. Additional subjects are now being studied at different time intervals after insemination in order to determine the entire effect of the IUD upon sperm transport.