Résumé
To detect the effect of oral contraceptive pills on some aspects of the immune system. The present study was conducted on forty apparently healthy females who were using combined oral contraceptive pills [OCs] for not less than 2 years. They were compared to an equal number of apparently healthy females who did not use the pills or any other hormonal method of contraception. The comparison included: the cellular immunity [T-cell population and function] and humoral immunity [immunoglobulins, C3, C4]. Significant increase in helper T-cells with significant decrease in suppressor T-cells was demonstrated. H: S ratio was shown to increase proportional to duration of pill use. Impairment of T-cell function was reported by significant increase in MII. The percentage of phagocytes was significantly higher in pill users. The levels of IgA, 1gM, C3 and C4 did not show significant change. IgG levels were significantly higher in pill users. T-cells and their subsets are the primary target for steroid hormone influences. Modulation of T-cell population and impairment of T-cell function have been proved to be related to the duration of pill use. OCs may have a possible role in auto-immune diseases