Inhibition of embryo implantation in mice through vaginal administration of a proprotein convertase 6 inhibitor

Abstract

Uterine proprotein convertase 6 (PC6) plays a critical role in embryo implantation in both mice and women. It was hypothesized that inhibiting uterine PC6 could prevent pregnancy. Vaginal administration of a PC6 inhibitor presents the ideal route for local drug delivery. A peptide-based PC6 inhibitor, C-30k-PEG Poly R that was previously shown to have properties of increased vaginal absorption and penetration was tested for its contraceptive potential in mice following vaginal administration. The study demonstrated that this approach could inhibit embryo implantation in some mice (24% completely and 47% partially inhibited).