Daily administration of the progesterone antagonist RU 486 prevents implantation in the cycling guinea pig

Abstract

Since progesterone is required to prepare the endometrium for implantation of an embryo, a progesterone antagonist may inhibit nidation and thus prevent pregnancy. We addressed this possibility in the guinea pig, the small laboratory animal whose reproductive physiology most resembles that of women. Daily administration of the antiprogestin RU 486 (0, 1, 2, or 3 mg/kg, subcutaneously) for 9 days after mating inhibited implantation in a dose-dependent fashion. When this compound was given daily throughout the estrous cycle, cyclic vaginal changes, ovulation, and mating were suppressed in up to 17%, 28%, and 55% of animals, respectively. Two of seven mated female animals receiving RU 486, 1 mg/kg/day, had implantation sites. Nidation was completely blocked at higher doses. Thus daily antiprogestin administration prevented pregnancy in sexually active, normally cycling guinea pigs. A similar strategy using a daily antinidatory dose of an antiprogestin may offer a novel approach to human fertility control.