Effect of female sex steroid hormones on lipid metabolism

ABSTRACT

In the present study we demonstrated the effects of female sex steroid hormones [estrogen and / or progesterone] on lipid metabolism in female. Female albino rats were used for this study. After ovariectomy, we injected either estrogen and/ or progesterone every day for 14 days, then all animals were decapitated, blood taken and serum analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL.C] and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL.C]. We found that estrogen induced significant rise in HDL.C and significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL.C, while no changes in triglycerides or phospholipids were observed. Progesterone injection resulted in insignificant changes in lipid profile. Combined estrogen and progesterone injection resulted in significant rise in HDL.C and decrease in total cholesterol, LDL.C and insignificant changes in triglycerides or phospholipids. These data may indicate that cyclic fluctuations in lipid levels do occur under the influence of female sex hormones and estrogen use in postmenopausal women is associated with increase HDL.C, which reduces risk factors for coronary artery disease