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Immunochemical Quantitation of Human Transferrin in Pregnancy and during the Administration of Oral Contraceptives
Author(s) -
Jacobi J. M.,
Powell L. W.,
Gaffney T. J.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1969.tb01398.x
Subject(s) - transferrin , transaminase , serum iron , oral administration , pregnancy , medicine , endocrinology , physiology , chemistry , anemia , biology , biochemistry , genetics , enzyme
S ummary . The effects of pregnancy and oral contraceptive administration on serum transferrin levels were studied using an immunochemical method of estimation. Serum iron, total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC) measured chemically, plasma bound iodine (PBI) and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) were also estimated on the same samples. The results show that the striking elevation in TIBC produced by oral contraceptives is due to increase in the transferrin level in the serum. The increase in serum transferrin, TIBC and PBI following the administration of oral contraceptives were of the same order as the changes produced physiologically during the second half of pregnancy. SGOT values were all normal. The findings suggest that changes in transferrin and other serum proteins produced by oral contraceptives are not due to liver damage but perhaps to increased protein synthesis. However, further study is necessary to elucidate the factors regulating the serum transferrin concentration and the effect on these of synthetic hormones.