Central and peripheral effects on desogestrel 15 60 micrograms daily for 21 days in healthy female volunteers
Cullberg, G.; Lindstedt, G.; Lundberg P A.; Steffensen, K.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica Suppl (111): 21-28
1982
Document Number: 390340
Desogestrel (Org 2969, 17.alpha.-ethynyl-18-methyl-11-methylene-4-estrene-17.beta.-ol) was given for 21 days to 6 female volunteers in daily doses of 15, 30 or 60 .mu.g until ovulation inhibition was achieved. Control cycles were studied before and after each treatment cycle. Blood samples for determination of serum FSH, LH , unconjugated 17.beta.-estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, ceruloplasmin and orosomucoid were taken at intervals of 1-2 days. The karyopyknotic index and the amount of cervical mucus, ferning, Spinnbarkeit and sperm penetration were also assessed at 2-day intervals. An endometrial biopsy was taken on day 22 from 5 volunteers receiving the 30 .mu.g dose. The results of FSH, LH, 17.beta.-estradiol and progesterone determinations indicate that 2 of the 4 volunteers ovulated while taking the 15 .mu.g dose; 1 of the 2 displayed corpus luteum dysfunction. On the 30 .mu.g dose, 5 out of 6 volunteers had anovulatory cycles; the 6th volunteer was then given 60 .mu.g desogestrel which resulted in inhibition of ovulation. In all volunteers treated with desogestrel (even those who ovulated during treatment), the cervical mucus was under progestational influence, resulting in a low Spinnbarkeit and impaired sperm penetration. The microscopic appearance of the endometrium varied but was clearly under progestational influence in all volunteers treated with desogestrel. Ovulation occurred in all post-treatment cycles. No side effects were seen, except for spottings during 1/2 of the treatment cycles. No changes attributable to the treatment were seen in serum concentrations of prolactin, ceruloplasmin or orosomucoid.