A tubal plug and clip method for female sterilization.

Animal studies using rabbits, stumptailed macaques monkeys, and baboons demonstrate that the tubal plug and clip device is an effective and safe method for female sterilization in these animal models. The devices were placed in 18 baboons that were bred regularly for six to 18 months without conception. Ten of these 18 animals conceived within 12 months after removal of the devices and carried normal pregnancies without any other surgical procedure. Six of the ten animals conceived and carried a second pregnancy for a total of 16 successful pregnancies. The expected pregnancy rate for baboons is 64.9% per year so that the 55.6% success rate of reversal and 16 total pregnancies clearly represents a high degree of reversibility for the method in this animal species.