Central and Peripheral Effects of Desogestrel 15–60 μg Daily for 21 Days in Healthy Female Volunteers

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Abstract
Desogestrel (Org 2969, 17α‐ethinyl‐18‐methyl‐11‐methylene‐4‐estrene‐17β‐01) was given for 21 days to 6 female volunteers in daily doses of 15, 30 or 60 μg until ovulation inhibition was achieved. Control cycles were studied before and after each treatment cycle. Blood samples for determinations of serum FSH, LH, unconjugated 17β‐estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, ceruloplasmin, and orosomucoid were taken at intervals of 1–2 days. The karyopyknotic index and the amount of cervical mucus, ferning, Spinnbarkeit and sperm penetration were also assessed at 2‐day intervals. An endometrial biopsy was taken on day 22 from 5 volunteers receiving the 30 μg dose.The results of FSH, LH, 17β‐estradiol and progesterone determinations indicate that 2 of the 4 volunteers ovulated whilst taking the 15 pg dose; however, one of the 2 displayed corpus luteum dysfunction. On the 30 μg dose, 5 out of 6 volunteers had anovulatory cycles; the sixth volunteer was then given 60 μg desogestrel, which resulted in inhibition of ovulation.In all volunteers treated with desogestrel (even those who ovulated during treatment), the cervical mucus was under progestational influence, resulting in a low Spinnbarkeit and impaired sperm penetration. The microscopic appearance of the endometrium varied but was clearly under progestational influence in all volunteers treated with desogestrel. Ovulation occurred in all post‐treatment cycles. No side effects were seen, except for ‘spottings’ during half of the treatment cycles. No changes attributable to the treatment were seen in serum concentrations of prolactin, ceruloplasmin or orosomucoid.