Changes in lipoproteins and subfractions following oophorectomy and oestrogen replacement in peri-menopausal women.

Serum cholesterol concentrations in lipoprotein fractions and subfractions were determined in 11 peri-menopausal women both before and after bilateral oophorectomy, as well as 60 days after commencement of oral oestradiol replacement therapy. Pre-operatively, all subjects were found to have normal lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. There was a post-operative increase in the total cholesterol level, which was attributed to a raised very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions HDL-2 and HDL-3 were noted but since these were compensatory little difference in total HDL cholesterol was observed. Following oral oestrogen replacement, the cholesterol level decreased as a result of a drop in both VLDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The oestradiol-induced HDL cholesterol increment reflected an increase in the levels of both HDL subfractions.