LRH agonist buserelin as a post-partum contraceptive: lack of biological activity of buserelin in breast milk

Abstract

Abstract. To evaluate the possibility of using the LRH agonist buserelin as a contraceptive for lactating women we have investigated the passage of buserelin into breast milk and explored possible biological activity in the infant. Eleven mothers received 600 μg buserelin by nasal spray. Buserelin was measured by radioimmunoassay in the breast milk of these mothers, and values ranged from undetectable levels (less than 15 pg/ml) to 8800 pg/ml. The maximum amount of buserelin that an infant could ingest during an average feed would be 1–2 μg. In adult men ingestion of 600 μg buserelin dissolved in cows milk was without biological effect upon both serum and urinary levels of luteinizing hormone. There was no change in the levels of LH found in the urine of infants fed by women who had received 600 μg buserelin by nasal spray. We conclude that the small amount of buserelin passing into the breast milk of these volunteers was without biological activity when ingested by the infant.