Biological evaluation of a novel copper-containing composite for contraception  Lu Sun, M.D., Xun-bin Huang, M.D., Jin-ping Suo, Ph.D., Bo-lin Fan, M.D., Zong-lin Chen, M.D., Wen-xiang Yang, M.D., Juan Li, Ph.D.  Fertility and Sterility  Volume 95, Issue 4, Pages 1416-1420 (March 2011) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.04.041 Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Morphologies of the cultured L929 mouse fibroblasts for 7 days and direct-contact assay. (A) sample; (B) negative control; and (C) positive control (×200). The morphologies in the sample group were indistinguishable from those in the negative control group. Fibroblasts in the sample and negative control groups were polygonal, and cell division could be observed. In the positive control group, dying and dead fibroblasts were significantly smaller. (D–G) Morphologies of the L929 cells which were cultured by direct contact with material after 24 h (D), 48 h (E), and 72 h (F), and negative control (G). Both the cells on the materials (left) and the cells which did not contact the materials (right) were shuttle-shaped and spread homogeneously on the surface of the material. Fertility and Sterility 2011 95, 1416-1420DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.04.041) Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions

Figure 2 Light micrographs of the novel composite (B, D, F) which was implanted into the spinal muscle of adult rabbits compared with sham-operated group (A, C, E) for 1 (A, B), 4 (C, D), and 12 weeks (E, F). All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. At 1 week, acute inflammatory reaction was the main characteristic. A lot of heterophil granulocyte and a small amount of lymph-cell infiltration were seen within and around the implant, but without formation of complete capsule. Evidently, a phagocytotic and inflammatory reaction occurred (B). Similar inflammatory reaction was observed on the sham-operated side (A). After 4 weeks of implantation, the number of inflammatory cells decreased sharply, heterophil granulocyte disappeared, lymph cells were reduced, and compact fibrous capsule formed on the material surface of the tissue was clearly observed (D). A very small number of lymphocytes were observed on the sham-operated side, which was closed to normal tissue (C). At 12 weeks, the inflammatory reaction of the two groups had almost disappeared (E, F). The implant was completely penetrated with fibrous tissue. Furthermore, it was noticed that the surrounding fibrous capsule had become more stable (F). Fertility and Sterility 2011 95, 1416-1420DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.04.041) Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions