Desogestrel a new progestational compound a comparative study with lynestrenol performed in ovariectomized women
Cullberg, G.; Eriksson, O.; Knutsson, F.; Steffensen, K.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica Suppl (111): 13-20
1982
Document Number: 390341
A new progestational compound, desogestrel, was given orally to 4 otherwise healthy, ovariectomized volunteers who were first treated for 2 cycles with ethynyl estradiol and lynestrenol (given sequentially) and then primed with ethynyl estradiol. The effects of decreasing doses of desogestrel (250 to 15 .mu.g) in combination with 50 .mu.g ethynyl estradiol were compared with those of 1 mg lynestrenol plus 50 .mu.g ethynyl estradiol. Variables studied were basal body temperature, vaginal cytology (karyopyknotic index), cervical mucus (including Spinnbarkeit and ferning) and endometrial biopsies. In addition, body wt, blood pressure and selected biochemical variables were monitored. No side effects attributable to the treatment were noted. Progestational effects were observed on all variables in volunteers with adequate priming. Basal body temperature rose in all volunteers on desogestrel at doses down to 60 .mu.g to the same extent as those with 1 mg lynestrenol. The karyopyknotic index did not react to estrogen priming in 2 volunteers, and the results with the 2 other volunteers were inconclusive. Cervical mucus became thick and scanty with reduced Spinnbarkeit at doses of desogestrel down to 60 .mu.g as well as with 1 mg lynestrenol. Crystallization of mucus (ferning) ceased at a dose of 30 .mu.g desogestrel and endometrial biopsies showed marked secretion at doses of desogestrel down to 30 .mu.g; 60 .mu.g was considered to be equipotent to 1 mg lynestrenol. The ovariectomized woman with her uterus intact appears to be a good model for the initial testing of progestational compounds.