A cytogenetic study in women who had used oral contraceptives and in their progeny.

A study has been made of the chromosome numbers and characteristics of leucocytes cultured from mothers (a total of 77) who had taken one or more types of oral contraceptive, and their babies (108), and compared with similar numbers of control subjects. When the total cytogenetic results from test and control mothers were compared, no significant differences in frequency or type of chromosome abnormalities was observed. However, with certain types of oral contraceptive, minor differences in the numbers of chromosome abnormalities were found between test and control groups and the significance of these findings are discussed. The only significant abnormalities observed in the babies from mothers taking oral contraceptives were slight increases in the numbers who had cells with less than 46 chromosomes and who exhibited chromosomal gaps. The number of abnormal cells was significantly higher in babies born to mothers who had been taking norethynodrel (Conovid) (4.6% abnormal cells in test babies; 2.0% in controls).