Effect of oral contraceptives on nutrients. III. Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid

Abstract

The interactions of oral contraceptive agents (OCA's) with vitamins were studied in a large population of women. In the upper socioeconomic groups, higher incidences of abnormal clinical signs related to vitamin deficiencies were seen in OCA users than in the control subjects. Plasma pyridoxal phosphate and red cell and serum folate were lower in subjects using OCA's in the upper socioeconomic group as compared to levels in the control subjects. Reduction in erythrocyte glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (EGOT) activity and elevation in the EGOT-stimulation test were observed in subjects using OCA's in both upper and lower socioeconomic groups. These observations suggest a relatively deficient state with respect to vitamins B6 and folic acid in OCA users. No significant effect on serum vitamin B12 was observed as a result of OCA administration.

PIP: The effect of oral contraceptives (OCs) on Vitamins-B6, -B12, and folic acid metabolism was studied in a large population of women. The OCs Norinyl (1 mg norethindrone plus 50 mcg mestranol) and Ovral (.5 mg norgestrel and 50 mcg ethinyl estradiol) were administered for 3 or more months. Higher incidences of abnormal clinical signs related to vitamin deficiency were seen in the upper socioeconomic OC users then in the control subjects. Plasma pyridoxal phosphate and red cell and serum folate were lower in OC users in the upper socioeconomic group as compared with levels in control subjects. A reduction in erythrocyte gl utamic oxalacetic transaminase (EGOT) activity and an elevation in the EGOT-stimulation test were observed in OC users in both upper and lower socioeconomic groups. These results suggest a relatively deficient state with respect to Vitamin-B6 and folic acid in OC users. No marked effects were seen with respect to Vitamin-B12 levels. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the subjects in lower socioeconomic groups were already marginally deficient in Vitamin-B6 and folic acid and further reduction due to OCs could not be detected.