FASTING SERUM LIPIDS AND SERUM LIPOPROTEIN DISTRIBUTION DURING ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE THERAPY IN NIGERIANS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Serum total cholesterol, cholesterol esters and lipoprotein components were estimated in controls and in patients who had been on Orthonovin (containing 1 mg. of norethisterone and 0 . 05 mg. of mestranol) and Ovral (containing 0 . 5 mg. of norgestrol and 0.05 mg. of ethinyl oestradiol) for periods ranging from 3 weeks to 100 weeks. The serum total cholesterol level was higher in the patients on oral contraceptives than in the controls, and the increase occurred predominantly in the cholesterol ester fraction. The rise in serum triglyceride level was more striking than that in serum cholesterol. This increase was reflected in a significant rise in the pre‐β‐lipoprotein fraction. The β‐lipoprotein fraction was also significantly elevated while the α‐lipoprotein fraction was diminished. Massive hyperlipemia was seen in 10 per cent of the patients. No significant difference was seen between the effects of Orthonovin and Ovral upon blood lipids.