Circulating steroids in male rats following inhalation of n-alcohols.
The effect of inhaled methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and n-butanol on male reproductive function as measured by the serum concentration of circulating T (testosterone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) has been investigated. The animals were exposed to concentrations of these alcohols equal to the current threshold limit values in industry (methanol: 200 ppm, ethanol: 1000 ppm, n-propanol, n-butanol: 50 ppm) 6 h a day for up to 1 week. A significant depression in the concentration of circulating T was found after the first 6 h exposure to the respective alcohols with restoration after a recovery period of 18 h, except in rats exposed to n-butanol where a depression of 48% could still measured. The concentration of LH was within the normal range in all experimental groups whereas corticosterone was increased after exposure to n-butanol. Exposure for 1 week was not associated with any significant inability of the rat testis to produce T.
D020001:1-Butanol; D000433:1-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects; D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000440:Butanols / Q000494:pharmacology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D000438:Alcohols; D000440:Butanols; D000431:Ethanol; D013739:Testosterone; D020001:1-Butanol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D000433:1-Propanol; D003345:Corticosterone; D000432:Methanol