Effect of 24 mm levonorgestrel IUD on uterine endometrium of female rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta

Abstract

Hysterectomy specimens were obtained from ten adult female rhesus monkeys treated with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs) for a period of three, six and twelve months. The effect of levonorgestrel on the endometria, ovaries and fallopian tubes of removed uteri was examined in luteal phase of cycle. A uniform suppression of endometrium with glandular atrophy and pseudodecidualization of stromal cells was observed in endometrial biopsies, whereas ovaries and tubal epithelium exhibited normal physiological changes as evidenced by presence of ovulatory stigma along with well formed corpus luteum and secretory activity of tubal epithelium.