Specific and weight loss-associated effects of one-week exposure to ethanol on pituitary-gonadal function of male rats.
We studied the effects of one-week ethanol exposure (2.2 g/kg twice daily) on pituitary-gonadal functions of male rats. Because ethanol decreases the food-intake of the animals, diet-restricted rats were used as controls. Testicular LH and PRL receptors of ethanol-treated rats were significantly (P less than 0.05-0.01) reduced in comparison with weight-matched controls. In contrast, testicular GnRH receptors of the ethanol group were increased (P less than 0.05). Testicular FSH binding, pituitary GnRH-receptors, and serum gonadotropins and testosterone were not affected by ethanol. The present results demonstrate a specific effect of ethanol on testicular LH and PRL receptors which, unlike some other endocrine changes during ethanol exposure, is not due to a concomitant weight loss. In addition, the results suggest a concurrent change in the putative testicular GnRH receptor associated paracrine regulation, as implied by increased testicular GnRH binding upon ethanol exposure.
Department of Anatomy, University of Turku, Finland.
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Salonen
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Huhtaniemi
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000187:drug effects; D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin / Q000187:drug effects; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000187:drug effects; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011967:Receptors, Gonadotropin; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D000431:Ethanol