Effect of combined contraceptive steroid on rat brain ascorbate-acetylcholine with reference to protein restriction.

To evaluate the effects of combined contraceptive steroids on brain ascorbic acid and acetylcholine during protein restriction with respect to normal dietary condition the rats were subjected to normal (18% casein) and protein restricted (5% casein) diet for 28 days. Subsequently they were treated with combined contraceptive steroids for 28 days. Smear study were performed throughout the periods of dietary regimen and the drug treatment. Ascorbic acid and acetylcholine concentration of six discrete regions of brain were estimated from all groups of rats. At normal dietary state the combined contraceptive steroids significantly increase the ascorbic acid and decrease the acetylcholine concentration in the brain areas. At this state diestrus phase was indicated by smear study. After steroid treatment during protein restriction significant decrease of ascorbic acid and significant increase of acetylcholine concentration occurred in the brain areas. Proestrus and estrus phases were continued as indicated by smear study. It may therefore be presumed that contraceptive steroids affect the brain regional ascorbic acid and acetylcholine in an opposite manner during normal and protein restricted dietary condition.