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  • Title: Zinc and copper nutriture of women taking oral contraceptive agents.
    Author: Vir SC, Love AH.
    Journal: Am J Clin Nutr; 1981 Aug; 34(8):1479-83. PubMed ID: 6791490.
    Abstract:
    A cross-sectional and follow-up study of young women taking oral contraceptive agents revealed a marked increase in serum copper levels. This increase was significant after the taking of oral contraceptive agents for 3 months. No significant effect of oral contraceptive agents on serum zinc and hair levels or copper were observed. There was no correlation between duration of oral contraceptive agent therapy and zinc or copper concentrations in serum or hair. Serum and hair concentration of zinc or copper were also not significantly correlated. It is well known that OC (oral contraception) may provoke changes in metal metabolism. This study examines the effects of OC use in serum and hair level of both zinc and copper. The study involved a control group of 24 women, aged 18-20, who had never been on OC; a cross-sectional experimental group of 33 women, aged 18-23, who had been using combined OC for at least 3 months; a follow-up experimental group of 12 women, aged 18-22, who were about to start OC treatment for the first time, and who were examined again at 3 and at 6 months. Blood samples and hair samples were collected and analyzed with the Vir and Love method. Mean serum copper concentration was significantly higher in OC users; hair copper values were also higher, but the difference was not a significant one. Mean serum zinc levels were slightly lower, and hair zinc levels slightly higher in OC users; differences between users and nonusers, however, were not significant. No significant correlation was found between duration of OC treatment and serum and hair metal values. In the follow-up experimental group mean serum copper level increased at 3 months of OC treatment, and mean hair copper values decreased; there were no significant differences at 3 and at 6 months. Mean serum zinc concentration and mean hair zinc concentration also decreased in the control group, but the decline was not significant. No significant correlation was found between serum and hair concentration of zinc or copper in the control or in the experimental group. These findings are consistent with others reported in the published literature. The biological significance of the rise in serum copper levels, and of the slight alteration in serum zinc level after OC use is still not known.
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