Albumin Metabolism in Female Rabbits Treated with an Oral Oestrogen-Progestogen Contraceptive

Abstract

The metabolism of ¹³¹I-albumin was studied in 11 female rabbits before and during treatment with a combination of ethynodiol diacetate (1.0 mg) and mestranol (0.1 mg). The concentration of serum albumin decreased from 45.9 g/1 to 37.2 g/1. Plasma volume increased from 101 ml to 123 ml during treatment. Both the rate of synthesis and the fractional catabolic rate decreased significantly. The concentration of serum albumin seems to regulate the fractional catabolic rate.

Key Words:

• Albumin
• albumin metabolism
• hormones
• oral contraceptives
• plasma volume
• radioiodinated albumin