[The effect of hormonal contraceptives and pregnancy on iron metabolism, plasma lactoferrin levels and granulocyte count in women].

Plasma iron, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin, serum ferritin, plasma lactoferrin and the number of circulating granulocytes were determined in 51 healthy, non-iron-deficient women. Blood was sampled at three stages of the menstrual cycle of 6 women with spontaneous menstruation and of 6 on low-estrogen hormonal contraception. Furthermore, 39 pregnant women were studied at three stages in the second half of uncomplicated pregnancy (13 women per stage). Women on oral contraceptives differed from those with spontaneous menstrual cycles in that they did not show a drop of plasma iron at menstruation, and, on the average, they had slightly higher serum ferritin concentrations, lower plasma-lactoferrin levels and a decreased number of circulating granulocytes. No significant difference was found with respect to total iron-binding capacity and transferrin concentration. In pregnancy, a progressive increase of total iron-binding capacity and transferrin, and an intermittent decline of serum-ferritin, followed by a rise shortly before delivery, were observed. Plasma lactoferrin increased in parallel with the number of circulating granulocytes. An attempt is made to separate findings that have to be attributed to a direct hormonal effect on iron metabolism from those that may depend on other factors.