THE EFFECTS OF ANTIBIOTICS AND STEROIDS ON THE CARRIAGE OF VAGINAL BACTERIA INTO THE UTERUS DURING INSERTION OF INTRAUTERINE MONOFILAMENTS IN THE GUINEA-PIG

The effects of systemic norethisterone acetate and oxytetracycline hyd rochloride on the levels of vaginal microorganisms found in the uterus after the insertion of transcervical, intra-uterine monofilaments in the guinea-pig were determined. The results indicated that bacteria we re transferred to the uterus from the vagina during the insertion proc ess and, in the presence of an intra-uterine substrate, persisted for up to 6 months. Daily treatment with norethisterone acetate or oxytetr acycline hydrochloride whilst the monofilament was in-situ failed to r educe the bacterial numbers in the uterus. Similarly, daily treatment with oxytetracycline hydrochloride for the 5 days before monofilament insertion had no effect on these bacteria.