Progestagen-dependent effect on some plasma proteins during oral contraception

Seventeen healthy women received a combination of 0.030 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.150 mg of levonorgestrel or a combination of 0.030 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.150 mg of desogestrel for 2 years as oral contraception. Serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin, transcortin, ceruloplasmin, and pregnancy-associated protein were measured before contraception, during 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of treatment, and 2 months after stopping the pill. Oral contraception with both preparations induced a similar, significant rise in both ceruloplasmin and pregnancy-associated protein. Sex hormone binding globulin levels rose significantly with the ethinyl estradiol-desogestrel, but not with the ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel combination. Transcortin increased with both preparations, more with the ethinyl estradiol-desogestrel combination.