Serum immunoglobulin levels during contraceptive use of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate in Indian women: a preliminary study.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) as a contraceptive on levels of serum immunoglobulins, total protein and albumin in Indian users. The recommended dose of 150 mg of DMPA by deep intramuscular injection was given to twenty parous women. Levels of serum immunoglobulins, total protein and albumin were measured prior to, and at one and three months after the injection. The levels of total protein and albumin remained unaffected. No significant changes were observed in the levels of IgA and IgM. IgG levels were increased in the first and third month after DMPA injection, and the increase in the first month was statistically significant (p = 0.019). While the serum levels of IgA, IgM, total protein and albumin were unaffected, the raised levels of IgG were indicative of improved humoral immunity in Indian DMPA users.