Â鶹´«Ã½

This is a classic article from Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s archive, republished as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations

THE development of chemical compounds which, when taken by mouth, may reduce the fertility of women is reviewed in Chemical and Engineering News (vol 37, p 30). Most of them are steroids, chemically akin to the female hormone progesterone that controls ovulation. Three such drugs are undergoing clinical trials. The latest, so far unnamed, is reported to be fifty times as active in rabbits as norethindrone, and cheaper to make. The eventual cost, effectiveness and possibly harmful effects of using such compounds are all still uncertain.

This article was originally published in Â鶹´«Ã½ on 4 February 1960

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