Collagen metabolism markers as a reflection of bone and soft tissue turnover during the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use

Two different groups of women, 23 healthy young adults and 13 women with ch ronic posterior pelvic pain, were studied before and during use of oral con traceptives (OC). Collagen metabolism markers-here, the amino terminal prop eptide of type I procollagen, the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I co llagen, and the amino-terminal of procollagen type III-as well as hormones and other endocrine factors indicating the balance between androgen express ion/anabolism and catabolism of the subjects (testosterone, sex-hormone bin ding globulin, and insulin-like growth factor I were measured. Type I proco llagen, the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, and the amino- terminal of procollagen type III were all significantly decreased during OC use. These findings implicate OC use-induced changes in collagen type I an d III turnover. A shift in the anabolic/catabolic balance was also recorded indicating a less anabolic situation during OC use. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce Inc. All rights reserved.