countries. The combination birth control pill of drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol (Yasmin®) is considered an effective contraceptive that is used by many women worldwide.
Aim of the Study: To investigate the possible effects of Yasmin administration on the parotid gland of female Albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Fourteen adult female Albino rats weighing between 200-220 gm were divided randomly into two equal groups, seven rats each. The control group: where rats received distilled water by gastric gavage daily. The Oral contraceptive group (COC): where rats have received Yasmin® tablets dissolved in distilled water and was then given daily (0.6 mg/kg body weight) by gastric gavage as 5-day cycles (4-day treatment with 1-day break) for 8 oestrous cycles (32 days). Parotid glands were prepared for both light and transmission electron microscopic examination.
Results: Light and transmission electron microscopic examination of the oral contraceptive group showed that the serous acini appeared with cytoplasmic vacuoles, nuclear pleomorphism, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and swollen mitochondria with damaged cristae. Duct system has also shown various degenerative changes. Striated duct cells showed apparent loss of cell height, shrunken nuclei and swollen mitochondria while, excretory ducts appeared with loss of pseudo-stratification. Statistical analysis of acinar diameter has shown a high significant increase in the oral contraceptive group than the control group.
Conclusions: From this study, we concluded that when combined oral contraceptive pills were administrated to female Albino rats, it revealed degenerative changes in acinar and ductal cells of parotid gland.