DefinePK

Abstract

Acetaminophen is known to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and activate the endocannabinoid system, thereby has been linked to the regulation of mammalian reproductive processes through the same. Growing evidence tends to link acetaminophen reproductive effects in the regulation of ovulation and/or implantation. To provide further evidence, this study was designed to determine the effect of acetaminophen on ovulation and/or implantation. Female Swiss white mice were randomly divided into two experiments, one testing effects on ovulation and the other testing effects on implantation. The two groups were further sub-divided into treatment and control groups, each having N=5 mice. The mice in the treatment groups (TG1 and TG2) received 200mg/kg of acetaminophen while those in the control groups (CG1 and CG2) received the same quantities of normal saline. Mice in experiment group one (TG1, CG1) received acetaminophen/placebo before mating. Those in experiment group two (TG2, CG2) received acetaminophen/placebo for seven days post-mating. The presence of a vaginal plug confirmed mating success. The mice were sacrificed on the 7th day of pregnancy, the uterus harvested and all observed implantation sites counted and recorded. In both treatment groups (TG1 and TG2), a significant reduction in the number of implantation sites (P?0.05) was observed when compared with the respective control group (CG1 and CG2). The observation points towards a role of acetaminophen in the regulation of ovulation and implantation in female mice reproduction.