Use of intrauterine devices as a means of contraception in a colony of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

The uncontrolled reproduction of the captive chimpanzee colony at the Primate Centre, CIRMF, Gabon, has led to high neonatal mortality. The only solution meeting ethical, financial, and practical considerations was to attempt reversible physical contraception using intrauterine devices (IUDs). Human IUDs were inserted into 21 females of various ages, parities, and stages of the menstrual cycle. Over a 30-month period, five of the study animals became pregnant. This reduction of conception rate, with minimal side effects, demonstrates the reliability of IUDs for controlling reproduction of chimpanzee colonies.