Effect of vaginally administered (Ala^8,13,18)-magainin II amide on the morphology of implantation stage endometrium in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)^☆

Abstract 

Intravaginal administration of an anti-microbial agent, (Ala^8,13,18)-magainin II amide, during blastocyst implantation inhibits pregnancy establishment in a dose-related manner in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). In the present study, mated female rhesus monkeys were vaginally inserted with tampons containing vehicle (Group 1; n = 5) and test agent (magainin, 0.5 mg/animal; Group 2; n = 6) on cycle day 20. Endometrial tissue samples were collected on Cycle Day 24 from all monkeys and processed for morphometric and ultrastructural analysis. Concentrations of estradiol-17β, progesterone, and chorionic gonadotrophin in peripheral circulation were determined, which revealed that two monkeys in Group 1 were pregnant while no animals were pregnant in Group 2. Endometrial morphology, however, revealed histologic evidence of pregnancy in three out of the six magainin-treated animals. It appears that intra-vaginal administration of magainin II amide had a marginal effect on the implantation stage endometrium and the initiation of the implantation process in the rhesus monkey.

Keywords:  Endometrium, Implantation, Magainin, Morphology, Rhesus monkey

• ☆ The research was funded from the Subproject [CIG-98-17] provided by the CICCR program of Contraceptive Research and Development Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School. The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of CONRAD or CICCR.