The Effects of sugammadex on progesterone levels in pregnant rats

Abstract

Background: Sugammadex has been shown to de- crease the efficiency of progesterone-containing oralcontraceptive drugs which possess a steroid structure. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluatethe effects of sugammadex on progesterone levels inpregnant rats as well as on the physiological course ofthe pregnancy. Study Design: Animal experiment. Methods: This study was approved by the Selçuk Uni- versity Ethical Committee for Experimental AnimalResearch. Pregnant Winster Albino rats (n=26) weredivided into three groups and administered with vari- ous intravenous injections on the 7th day of pregnancy.The control group (Group K, n=6) received 1.5 mLserum physiologic, the sugammadex group (Group S,n=10) received 30 mg/kg sugammadex and the sugam- madex + rocuronium group (Group SR, n=10) received30 mg/kg sugammadex and 3.5 mg/kg rocuronium. Progesterone levels were measured and the offspringwere monitored for morphologic status.Results: Mean progesterone levels were 94.16±15.54ng/mL in Group K, 87.86±12.48 ng/mL in Group S,and 94.53±16.10 ng/mL in Group SR (p>0.05). Nostillbirth or miscarriage was observed in the rats. Themean number of offspring was 6.8±1.47 in Group K,6.5±1.35 in Group S, and 6.4±1.17 in Group SR. Theoffspring appeared macroscopically normal.Conclusion: Sugammadex does not appear to affect theprogesterone levels in pregnant rats in the first trimes-ter and the clinical course. Successful completion ofpregnancy and the absence of stillbirth or miscarriagewill guide future studies about the use of sugammadex,particularly in the first trimester of the pregnancy.