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THE EFFECT OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON SERUM COPPER LEVELS IN NIGERIAN WOMEN
Author(s) -
Olatunbosun D. A.,
Adeniyi F. A.,
Adadevoh B. K.
Publication year - 1973
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.1471-0528.1973.tb02157.x
Subject(s) - nigerians , family planning , medicine , copper , obstetrics , health services , gynecology , research methodology , population , physiology , chemistry , environmental health , organic chemistry , political science , law
Summary Serum copper levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy in 224 Nigerian women attending the postpartum Family Planning Clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan. Eighty‐seven of the women had been fitted with the Lippes intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), 28 were taking Ovral 28, and 65 Norlestrin Fe. Forty‐four women attending for the first time served as normal controls. The mean serum copper levels in the women taking oral contraceptive agents were 144 μg./l00 ml. for the group taking Ovral 28, and 142 μg./100 ml. for those taking Norlestrin Fe. These values were similar, but significantly greater than the mean values for the control group and for the group fitted with IUCDs which were also similar. Compared to values reported in non‐Nigerians these values were all much lower and appear to be related to a reduction in appropriate binding and transport proteins in individuals in this environment.