Effect of low-dose oral contraceptives on natural killer cell activity
Baker, D.A.; Salvatore, W.; Milch, P.O.
Contraception 39(1): 119-124
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0010-7824 PMID: 2910646 DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(89)90020-6Document Number: 359929
Over the last 10 years there have been occasional reports of higher incidence of candidiasis, herpes virus infection, Chlamydia trachomatis infection, Gardnerella vaginalis infection, and bacteriuria in women using oral contraceptives. In this study natural killer cell activity was compared in 20 women, aged 18-24, before and 3 and 6 months after they were given a 3-month supply of oral contraceptives containing norethindrone (.5-1 mg)/ethinyl estradiol (.035 mg). Natural killer cells are lymphoid-like cytotoxic effector cells, that lyse tumor and virally infected cells. Their activity was measured by labelling K562 target cells with 51Cr. After 3 months of oral contraceptive use, natural killer cell activity decreased by 12-16%, but there was no further reduction after 6 months; and there were no viral, bacterial or fungal infections in the study group.