Serum immunoglobulin levels during contraceptive use of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate in Indian women: A preliminary study
Lali, P.; Chandra, L.; Gupta, R.P.
Contraception 53(6): 363-365
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-7824 PMID: 8773424 DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(96)00086-8Document Number: 298017
In New Delhi, India, researchers selected 10 nonlactating women aged 20-30 years, who attended the family planning clinic of Smt. S.K. Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, were interested in using the injectable contraceptive containing depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for a study of the effect of DMPA on immunological status. The researchers determined immunological status by measuring the levels of serum immunoglobulins, total protein, and albumin. Blood samples were collected before and at one and three months after DMPA injection. Throughout the study, the levels of total protein and albumin did not change markedly (7.12-7.39 gm% and 3.79-3.88 gm%, respectively). The levels of IgM increased somewhat in the first month (200.4-207.3 mg%). On the other hand, the levels of IgA decreased slightly in the first and third months (228.9 to 216.55 and 216.2 mg%, respectively). The only significant change was the increase in the level of IgG in the first month after injection (1794.7-2016.75 mg%; p = 0.019). The IgG level in the third month was also higher than the preinjection level, but not significantly so (1955.8 mg%; p = 0.065). The increased IgG level suggests an improved humoral immunity of DMPA users. Further research is needed with more subjects and of longer duration to definitively conclude that DMPA is associated with an improved immunological status.