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Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices and serum essential metals

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Advances in Contraception

Abstract

Serum levels of the essential metals, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and calcium (Ca), were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in one hundred and twenty randomly selected adult Nigerian female volunteers fitted with copper T or Delta T intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) for a period of 3–18 months, and their normal age-matched controls. The mean serum concentration of all the essential metals was lower in the women fitted with copper IUDs than the control group. The differences, however, are not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Resumen

El nivel en suero de los metales esenciales, hierro (Fe), cobre (Cu), magnesio (Mg), zinc (Zn), y calcio (Ca), fué determinado por espectrofotometría atómica de absorción, en ciento veinte mujeres nigerianas, adultas voluntarias, usando los DIU Cobre T y Delta T durante un período de 3 a 18 meses y en sus controles normales apareados por edad.

La concentración media de todos los metales esenciales, fué más baja en las mujeres usando dispositivos con cobre que en el grupo de control. No obstante, las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas (P>0.05).

Résumé

Les concentrations sériques des métaux essentiels, à savoir fer (Fe), cuivre (Cu), magnésium (Mg), zinc (Zn) et calcium (Ca), ont été déterminées par spectrophotométrie d'absorption atomique pendant une période de 3 à 18 mois chez 120 femmes nigériannes adultes choisies au hasard qui s'étaient soumises volontairement à cette expérience et qui portainent un dispositif contraceptif intra-utérin (DIU) Copper T ou Delta T, et chez des sujets témoins normaux d'âge correspondant. Les taux sériques moyens de tous les métaux essentiels chez les femmes qui portaient des DIU de cuivre étaient inférieurs à ceux que l'on a relevés dans la groupe témoin. Les différences n'étaient cependant pas significatives du point de vue statistique (p>0.05).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    S. O. Ayangade

  2. Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    O. O. Oyelola

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  1. S. O. Ayangade
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  2. O. O. Oyelola
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Ayangade, S.O., Oyelola, O.O. Copper intrauterine contraceptive devices and serum essential metals. Adv Contracept 4, 207–212 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849439

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01849439

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