P-T RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT--
 "New contraceptive begins trials at Oregon"
(courtesy Oregon Regional Primate Research Center)

For the first time in its history, the scientific journal Human
Reproduction has awarded two articles in the same issue and by the
same authors with the designation "Outstanding Contribution."  

Authors from the research teams of Richard Stouffer, Ph.D. and
Robert Brenner, Ph.D., published two papers in the February issue
of the journal detailing the effects of treating female monkeys
with antiprogestins. The first study, conducted by Mary Zelinski,
Ph.D., reports that chronic, low-dose treatment with ZK 137316,
unlike commonly used steroid contraceptives, does not suppress
normal menstrual cyclicity; the second study, performed by Ov
Slayden, Ph.D., discloses that the same treatment disrupts uterine
differentiation during the menstrual cycle. 

The conclusions of these studies have led to the Oregon Regional
Primate Research Center's current contraceptive trials of
mini-doses of the anti-progestin. If the trials go as the
scientists anticipate, women could have a novel, simple and
effective method of birth control. Unlike "the pill," it won't
suppress ovarian cycles, and, since it is long-acting, it won't
cause women to worry about forgetting a daily dose.

Monkeys, whose menstrual cycle closely resembles that of humans,
make an excellent model for this basic and contraceptive research.

For more information, contact Jim Parker at (503) 690-5301.

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Primate-Science Research Highlights appears every other week and focuses
broadly on research involving non-human primates. Coverage includes
biomedicine, behavior, conservation and veterinary science. Please
submit highlights for this column to Larry Jacobsen, Primate-Science Research
Highlights editor, at jacobsen@primate.wisc.edu. A 300-word limit and
lay-language style are recommended. Primate-Science Research Highlights are
supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health,
National Center for Research Resources.  Copyright 1998,
Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center. No portion of this highlight
may be copied or redistributed without the consent of the editor.

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