On the use of Plasma Proteins as Indicators of the Metabolic Effects of Combined Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Ethinylestradiol (EE, 17a-ethynyl-l,3,5(lO)-estratriene-3,l'IP-diol) 30 pg daily, in combination with 150 pg per day of desogestrel (Org 2969, 17a-ethynyl-18-methyl-l lmethylene-4-estrene-17P-01) or levonorgestrel (17~-ethynyl-18-methyl-4-estrene-17P-ol-3-one), was administered to two groups of 10 healthy human women who had been without hormonal treatment during 3 months prior to the study. The preparations were given for three 21-day cycles with 7-day intervals. Blood samples were taken before treatment and at the end of the third treatment period. Serum sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), ceruloplasmin, ornsomucoid, Cl-esterase inhibitor and C4 were analyzed by electroimmunoassay and transcortin was assayed as cortisol-binding capacity. Serum testosterone was assayed by radioimmunoassay of methylenedichloride extracts using an antiserum with about 20% cross-reactivity for dihydrotestosterone (DHT).The increases in serum ceruloplasmin and transcortin concentrations were the same in both groups (about 80% and 100-140%, respectively), whereas no significant change was noted for the orosomucoid, C1-esterase inhibitor or C4 concentrations. The SHBG concentration, how-Res Commun 72:489, 1976.

Effects of a Low‐dose Desogestrel‐ethinylestradiol Combination on Hirsutism, Androgens and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in Women With a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…Unlike certain other commonly used 19-nortestosterone derivatives (e.g. levonorgestrel (7,8)) desogestrel appears to have very little androgenici-who improved on the present treatment is high: even the two who considered themselves less improved had prolonged depilation intervals, and their hair coarseness decreased.…”

“…1. Semiquantitative hair scoring system for estimation of degree of hirsutism according to Lorenzo (7). Each location is given a score of 0 to 4 and the five scores are combined to give a total of 0-20.…”

The pill, the heart and HDL: Facts and fictions

“…The use of certain plasma proteins as indicators of estrogenic effects has been proposed and especially the extent of rise in SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) cause by a Pill formulation can be used as an indicator of its inherent estrogenicity [24,25]. Using this indicator, it has been established recently that the Pill's inherent estrogenicity is not only a function of the dose of the estrogen (ethinyl estradiol, EE) but also of the dose and type of progestogen used in the combination [24].…”

“…The DOG formulation was shown to have a pronounced and significantly greater SHBGraising effect than the LNG formulation [25,27]. A new similar formulation containing the same dose and type of estrogen (30/zg EE) combined with the same dose of a different progestogen, i.e.…”

Desogestrel: using a selective progestogen in a combined oral contraceptive

“…This will result in a decrease of the plasma levels of free testosterone and will have positive effects on androgenic skin disorders like acne. During the use of Marvelon, the SHBG plasma levels are elevated by 200% [23].…”