Influence of low-dose oral contraception on peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets at particular phases of the hormonal cycle.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of low-dose oral hormonal contraception on the immune system during certain phases of the hormonal cycle.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized, controlled study.


METHODS
Academic research setting.


METHODS
Women with regular menstrual cycle using hormonal oral contraception (OC; Cileste, 250 microg of norgestimat and 35 microg of ethinylestradiol, or Marvelon, 150 microg of desogestrel and 30 microg of ethinylestradiol) and women not using hormonal or other forms of contraception.


METHODS
Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets were determined by flow cytometry on the first day of menstruation (day 1), in the follicular phase (day 8), midcycle (day 15), and in the luteal phase (day 22).


METHODS
Levels of lymphocyte subpopulations.


RESULTS
Women using OC had significantly higher levels of CD3+ CD8+ cells throughout their pill cycle compared to controls. Furthermore, women taking Cileste had lower levels of natural killer (NK) cells during their cycle and also women taking Marvelon but only from days 8-15. Within the pill cycle of Cileste we observed an increase in CD20+ and CD20+ CD5+ cells from days 1-8.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytotoxic lymphocytes, which are responsible for first-line immune defense, and B cells, which are involved in autoimmune disorders, are affected by OC.
Auerbach
Leo
L
Division of Special Gynecology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria.
Hafner
Thomas
T
Huber
Johannes C
JC
Panzer
Simon
S
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D019304:Ethinyl Estradiol-Norgestrel Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008215:Lymphocytes, Null / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values
D015703:Antigens, CD; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004338:Drug Combinations; C109079:norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol drug combination; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D019304:Ethinyl Estradiol-Norgestrel Combination; D017135:Desogestrel