Radiology, Vol 193, 721-723, Copyright © 1994 by Radiological Society of North America
Selective tubal sterilization in rabbits: experience with a hydrogel combined with a sclerosing agent
AJ Maubon, AS Thurmond, A Laurent, JE Honiger, RM Scanlan and JP Rouanet
Department of Radiology, Centre Medico-Chirurgical Beau Soleil, Montpellier, France.
PURPOSE: To test a method of nonsurgical sterilization. MATERIALS AND
METHODS: A hydrogel that forms an in situ plug by phase inversion of a
polymer solution was placed into fallopian tubes of eight rabbits by means
of transvaginal rabbits by means of transvaginal fluoroscopic fallopian
tube catheterization. The rabbits were bred, and the presence of embryos
was confirmed with palpation and at autopsy. RESULTS: Seven of the eight
rabbits became pregnant. Six of these rabbits contained embryos in the
control uterus but not in the uterus on the side of the hydrogel injection.
The seventh rabbit had embryos in both uteri, but the hydrogel had been
expelled. All seven tubes that contained hydrogel showed evidence of acute
and chronic salpingitis and a foreign-body reaction. The tube from which
hydrogel had been expelled and the eight control tubes were not inflamed.
CONCLUSION: Transcervical catheter methods of tubal occlusion and
sterilization are promising, but a non- reactive material is needed.
