Daily ethinyloestradiol (50μg) and norethisterone acetate (1 mg) treatment (Minovlar) was investigated on gastric acid and pepsin secretion, and fasting serum gastrin concentration in six conscious female cats prepared with chronic gastric fistulae. The effect on biliary secretion of bile acids, phospholipids, and cholesterol was investigated in three conscious female cats prepared with chronic gastric and intestinal fistulae, and cholecystectomy. Treatment for 49 days did not alter the gastric acid or pepsin response to either intravenous pentagastrin infusions or a food stimulus. The fasting serum gastrin concentration remained unaltered throughout the study. Treatment for 18 days did not alter the percentage concentration of cholesterol in the bile, but reduced the percentage concentration of phospholipid. This was mirrored by a rise in the percentage concentration of bile acids in the bile. These trends were quickly reversed on cessation of treatment. There was no sign of cholestasis associated with the treatment. Intestinal flow remained constant throughout the study, there was no lithocholic acid or other abnormal bile acids detectable in any samples, and there was no change in serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration. The results suggest that in female cats, treatment with a combined oestrogen‐progestin preparation does not exert any beneficial effects on the aetiology of peptic ulceration through the reduction of acid or pepsin secretion, or the lowering of serum gastrin concentration. The preparation shows a tendency to produce more lithogenic bile, and this may partly explain the greater incidence of gall stones in women on the contraceptive pill. 1979 British Pharmacological Society
