Effects of oestradiol on sex hormone binding globulin.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were studied for possible effects of oestradiol-17 beta on SHBG. No change in SHBG plasma was recorded during normal menstrual cycles or during treatment with oestradiol-17 beta to menopausal women. However, gonadotrophin treatment to amenorrhoeic women to induce ovulation resulted in high oestradiol concentrations and a pronounced increase in SHBG was found during the luteal phase of these cycles.

Bioavailability of oestriol.

A rapid radioimmunoassay, using a specific antiserum against oestriol (Oe3) was developed for the analyses of unconjugated oestriol in post-menopausal women and before and after oral administration of oestriol. One ml plasma was extracted once with 10 ml diethyl ether and assayed without further purification. The plasma levels of oestriol in post-menopausal women appear to be below 5 pg/ml.

Plasma levels of levonorgestrel in women during longterm use of norplant.

Levonorgestrel plasma levels were determined by a specific radioimmunoassay in a group of 110 women at various intervals between 1 and 60 months following implantation of six silastic capsules containing levonorgestrel (Norplant). The implants were placed subdermally in the volar aspect of the forearm. Blood samples were taken twice a week for six consecutive weeks in each subject.

Plasma levels of levonorgestrel in women during longterm use of Norplants.

Levonorgestrel plasma levels were determined by a specific radioimmunoassay in a group of 110 women at various intervals between 1 and 60 months following implantation of six silastic capsules containing levonorgestrel (Norplant). The implants were placed subdermally in the anterior aspect of the forearm. Blood samples were taken twice a week for six consecutive weeks in each subject.