Combined hormonal oral contraceptives (OCs) may lead to a mild rise in blood pressure and body weight. In rare instances, large increments in blood pressure are measured. We investigated the effect of a combination of ethinyl estradiol (EE) plus a progestogen with antimineralocorticoid, i.e. natriuretic, properties [Drospirenone (DRSP)] on body weight, blood pressure, the renin-aldosterone system, atrial natriuretic factor, plasma lipids, and glucose tolerance. It is anticipated that this will lead to the development of an OC that does not raise body weight or blood pressure. Four groups of 20 women each received 30 micrograms EE plus 3 mg DRSP (group A), 20 micrograms EE plus 3 mg DRSP (group B), 15 micrograms EE plus 3 mg DRSP (group C), and, as a control OC, 30 micrograms EE plus 150 micrograms levonorgestrel (Microgynon, Schering; group D) for 6 months. During the OC-free control cycles before and after treatment and throughout treatment, the target parameters were measured. Between the pretreatment cycle and the sixth treatment cycle, mean body weight fell by 0.8 to 1.7 kg in groups A, B, and C (P < 0.05 vs. D), whereas it rose by 0.7 kg in group D. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures fell by 1-4 mm Hg in groups A, B, and C (significant for A and C vs. D) and increased by 1-2 mm Hg in group D. Renin substrate rose equally in all groups (P < 0.05), whereas PRA and plasma aldosterone rose significantly only in the DRSP groups, presumably due to sodium loss. In the DRSP groups, high density lipoprotein cholesterol rose (P < 0.05), in contrast to group D. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol fell slightly (P > 0.05), whereas triglyceride levels showed a stronger increase in the DRSP groups (P < 0.05) than in group D. All groups attained good cycle control; group A had the best. Side-effects were minimal. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a combined OC that leads to a small decrease in body weight and blood pressure. It may be especially beneficial for women susceptible for a gain in weight and a rise in blood pressure.

Static acute and renewal chronic tests were conducted with Daphnia magna, Daphnia pulex and Ceriodaphnia reticulata to determine their relative sensitivities to selected organic and inorganic chemicals: 2‐chloroethanol, 2,4‐pentanedione, pentachlorophenol, hexachloroethane, 2,2,2‐trichloroethanol, 2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, 2‐methyl‐2,4‐pentadiol, Endrin®, silver, lead, chromium, cadmium, copper, arsenic and mercury. The three species tested yielded comparable acute EC50 values for most chemicals tested. The acute EC50 values for D. magna, D. pulex and C. reticulata varied twofold for hexachloroethane, Endrin, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. Chronic EC50 values for the three species were within one order of magnitude for 2‐chloroethanol, 2,4‐pentanedione, cadmium, chromium and silver. Differences in the sensitivities of these three popular cladoceran test species were within one order of magnitude. Reproductive impairment in all three test species appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of chronic toxicity than survival. This study suggests that the 7‐d Ceriodaphnia chronic test may be used as an alternative short‐term method for the screening of chemical toxicities.

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