Effects of selected oral contraceptives on the kidney functionality

Overtime, oral contraceptives has been used as an option for prevention of pregnancy due to their synthetic hormones composition that prevents fertilization. Regardless of their usefulness in contraception, studies have shown that when these drugs are abused, they could cause some adverse effects in the normal body metabolism. This study investigated the effects of Exluton and Combination-3 on serum Electrolyte (Sodium; Na+, Potassium; K+, Chloride; Cl-, and Bicarbonate; HCO₃-), Urea and Creatinine in female wistar rats as an indications of kidney function. The study was carried out using twenty-five female albino rats which was grouped into five groups of five rats each. Group one was the control group, group two was administered with Low Dose Exluton, group three High Dose Exluton, group four Low Dose combination-3 and group five High Dose Combination-3. After a period of 21 days’ administration, the blood samples of the experimental rats were collected for bioassay of the kidney function while the kidney harvested for histological examination. The results from the analysis revealed that on the administration of both drugs, a significant increase at p value 0.05 was observed in the serum concentrations of Urea, Creatinine, Na+ and K+. The increase was most in the groups administered Combination-3 when compared to the control group. A decrease in the serum concentration of Cl- and HCO₃- was observed when compared to the group. However, an increase in Cl- and HCO₃- concentrations were observed in the group administered low dose Exluton, but not significant at 0.05 level. The findings of this study therefore suggests that both contraceptives of study may pose the tendency of kidney toxicity when abused, with greater tendency in the groups administered Combination-3.