A non proteinaceous extract of Bromelia pinguin fruit was examined for acti
vity on the rat uterus in vivo and in vitro. The in vivo experiments involv
ed pregnant rats given the extract intraperitoneally. These rats did not ab
ort nor were any foetal deformities observed. The extract inhibited spontan
eous activity of the pregnant rat uterus in vitro. These results do not sup
port the claimed folklore use of the plant as an abortifacient. The extract
of Bromelia pinguin fruit may have some utero-active compound which inhibi
ts uterine motility.