Immune reactivity of women on hormonal contraceptives. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin-A induced lymphocyte response.
To investigate the influence of sex-steroids on the in vitro correlate of cell-mediated immunity (CMI), blood samples from 49 women on hormonal contraceptives were tested on the lymphocyte response to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con-A). Sixteen women were taking oral contraceptives of combined oestrogen/progestogen of the same brand (low oestrogenic and middle range progestogenic activity); 15 had received intramuscular injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate and 18 women were using a sequential pill. The results were compared with those of 18 women not taking contraceptive steroids and matched for age. No significant changes were observed between the different groups. Considering the previously found alterations in dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) skin test reactivity by sex steroids, it is hypothesized that sex-steroids have little or no influence on the central proliferative phase of the immune response, but have a profound effect on the efferent phase.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000276:immunology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003279:Contraceptives, Oral, Sequential / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D003279:Contraceptives, Oral, Sequential; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone