A comparative study of the effects of two oral contraceptives containing dienogest or desogestrel on the human immune system

The effects of two oral contraceptive combinations, dienogest 2.0 mg pins e thinyl estradiol 0.03 mg (Valette(R)) and desogestrel 0.15 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 0.02 rng (Lovelle(R)), on the human immune system were compared o ver one treatment cycle of 31 patients (n = 15 and n = 16, respectively). Lovelle but not Valette significantly increased the numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. Valette decreased CD4 lymphocytes after 10 day s' treatment; Lovelle had the opposite effect. Lovelle increased CD19 and C D23 after 21 days' treatment. Phagocytic activity was unaffected by either treatment. After 10 days' treatment, both contraceptives reduced serum IgA, IgG and Ig M, which remained lowered at day 21 with Lovelle but returned to baseline w ith Valette. Secretory IgA was unaffected by either contraceptive. Neither treatment affected levels of interleukins, except for a significant difference between the treatment groups for interleukin-6 after 10 days' t reatment that disappeared after 21 days' treatment. Levels of non-immunoglobulin serum components fluctuated; macroglobulin was increased with Valette. However, total protein and albumin levels were red uced more with Lovelle than with Valette. Complement factors also fluctuate d. There was no evidence for any sustained immunosuppression with either Valet te or Lovelle.