Summary
Orally administered ethinyl oestradiol increased the plasma total copper concentration
and reduced the albumin concentration in post-menopausal women. Approximately 80%
of the increase in copper was due to a rise in caeruloplasmin-bound copper and 20%
to an increase in the amount of copper bound per gram of albumin. The plasma total
zinc concentration was reduced, due partly to the decrease in albumin concentration
and partly to a reduction in the amount of zinc bound per gram of albumin. Norethisterone
had no significant effect on plasma copper but it reduced plasma zinc and albumin,
though to a lesser extent than ethinyl oestradiol. When administered sequentially
with ethinyl oestradiol, norethisterone diminished the effects of the former on plasma
copper, zinc and albumin.
Key-Words:
Oestrogens
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Progestogens
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Copper
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Zinc
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Plasma
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Menopause
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Women
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Caeruloplasmin
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α
2
-macroglobulin
-
Albumin
