Abstract

PIP: Literature on the biochemical effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) is reviewed. The effects of OCs on concentrations of mineral elements ( calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc), vitamins (ascor bic acid, folic acid, and Vitamins-B6, B12, and E), hormones, (gonadotro pins, progesterone, estrogens, androgens, corticosteroids, aldosterone, renin-angiotensin, insulin, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, catecholamines, and prolactin), amino acids and proteins (free amino acids, tryptophan, metalloproteins, hormone-binding proteins, miscellaneous serum proteins, and blood coagulation factors), carbohydra tes (glucose tolerance tests, glucose metablism and other carbohydrates) , lipids (total serum lipids, triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, and cholesterol), and enzymes (aminotransfereases, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamyltransferase) are reviewed. Changes induced by combined, sequential, and low-dose OCs in 116 biochemical parameters are summarized in a table.