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EFFECT OF NORGESTREL ON CORPUS LUTEUM FUNCTION
Author(s) -
Mukherjee T. K.,
Wright S. W.,
Davidson N. J. H.,
Fotherby K.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1972.tb15776.x
Subject(s) - pregnanediol , corpus luteum , norgestrel , luteal phase , endocrinology , medicine , excretion , in vivo , menstrual cycle , biology , chemistry , ovary , population , follicular phase , hormone , research methodology , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental health , family planning
Summary Corpora lutea were obtained at laparotomy between days 17 and 25 of the menstrual cycle from nine patients who received 75 μg. Norgestrel daily from the first day of the cycle and from six patients not receiving Norgestrel. All of the control patients had normal corpora lutea which contained significant amounts of progesterone and all except one of the corpora lutea were able to synthesize progesterone in vitro . Oestrogen excretion was within the normal range in all except one patient. Pregnanediol excretion was more variable but plasma progesterone levels showed adequate in vivo luteal function. In all except one of the treated patients a normal corpus luteum was found and oestrogen excretion was within the normal range but pregnanediol excretion and plasma progesterone levels were below the normal range. Only two of the corpora lutea contained progestrone and only one was able to synthesize progesterone from pregnenolone on incubation in vitro . Thus administration of small doses of Norgestrel appeared to reduce the ability of the corpus luteum to produce progesterone and this may be one of the ways in which Norgesterel exerts an antifertility effect. This in vivo finding was supported by showing that low concentrations of Norgestrel inhibited the in vitro synthesis of progestrone by normal corpora lutea.