Sexually mature female Wistar rats were given daily intragastric doses of ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LE) used normally in women: (1) 0.03 mg EE and 0.05 mg LE; (2) 0.04 mg EE and 0.075 mg LE; (3) 0.03 mg EE and 0.125 mg LE. All groups were treated for 6 months in 5-day cycles (four-day treatment with a one-day break),
i.e. for 36 sexual cycles. In rat kidneys, the activity of succinic dehydrogenase, NADPH-tetrazolium reductase, Mg2 + -ATPase and alkaline phosphatase were decreased, while those of lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase were enhanced. We have found a correlation between enzymatic changes and ultrastructural changes in epithelial renal cells. These changes may reflect: (1) inhibited oxidative processes associated with the mitochondrial and microsomal systems of electron transport; (2) a compensatory increase in anaerobic processes; (3) increased glyconeogenesis; (4) inhibited transport processes and increased cellular catabolism. The kidney cortex and medulla did not show any significant morphological changes after 6 months of treatment. The study has shown that EE/LE combinations produce histochemical and ultrastructural changes in the kidney, which are dependent on the doses of gestagens.