Masters dissertation
An increasing number of women worldwide are using some form of contraceptive drugs for family planning including combined oral contraceptives (COC). However, the use of COC has been associated with some adverse effects such as anemia and impaired energy metabolism in some users. A cross-sectional study was, therefore, carried out to investigate the effect of vitamin B6 supplementation on plasma glucose tolerance, hemoglobin levels and body weight using experimental mice model. Forty five adult female mice at their reproductive age (6 - 12 weeks) were randomly divided into three groups of 15 mice each. G1 saved as a control group and received maize basal diet, G2 received 0.061 mg and G3 received 0.061 mg COC together with 0.028 g vitamin B6 at the same time for 56 consecutive days. Glucose tolerance test was taken and hemoglobin levels were tested weekly for 56 days period of the study. Measurement of body weight was done before and after treatment. Results obtained showed that vitamin B6 has significant effect on blood glucose intolerance and hemoglobin level (P < 0.05) and body weight changes (P < 0.05) caused by COC between treated groups. From the study it is recommended that the use of COC by women of reproductive age should be accompanied by concurrent use of vitamin B6 to reduce the effects associated with oral contraceptive.