FASTING SERUM TRIGLYCERIDE, CHOLESTEROL, AND LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS DURING ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE THERAPY

Abstract

The effects of oral contraceptives on fasting serum-lipid and low-density-lipoprotein levels have been studied longitudinally in two groups of women. Group A consisted of 116 women tested before and during therapy, and group B comprised 48 women initially tested during therapy and again after this had been discontinued. In both groups, oral-contraceptive therapy was associated with significantly elevated mean serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Elevated mean fasting S f0-12, S f20-100, and S f100-400 serum-lipoprotein levels were found during therapy, but S f12-20 lipoprotein and chylomicron triglyceride levels were unchanged. The rate of flotation of the modal component of the S f0-12 lipoproteins (S f0-12) was reduced during therapy. Serum-triglyceride levels increased in 95% of group-A women during therapy, and decreased in 88% of group-B women after therapy was discontinued. No relation was found between the magnitude of change and nature of œstrogen-progestagen combination, day of treatment cycle, duration of therapy, degree of obesity, parity, family history of diabetes mellitus, or oral glucose tolerance.