Further evidence for effects of ethanol on gonadotrophins and prolactin secretion in female rats.
The effect of different doses of ethanol (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg) on LH, FSH and prolactin levels has been studied in female rats. Ethanol was administered in preovulatory periods (18 hr of diestrous or 9 hr of proestrous) and hormonal levels were measured at the 18 hr of proestrous. Ethanol administered at the 18 hr of diestrous produces a biphasic effect on serum LH levels. High doses of alcohol significantly decreased LH levels, whereas low doses (0.5 g/kg) increased the hormonal levels. When ethanol-treatment was at the 9 hr of proestrous, it only decreased LH levels with the dose of 4.0 g/kg. Serum FSH levels were unaffected by the preovulatory administration of ethanol. Serum prolactin concentrations were significantly elevated after i.p. administration of ethanol at the 18 hr of diestrous and the 9 hr of proestrous. The hyperprolactinemia is more pronounced in the rats treated at the 9 hr of proestrous. The results of these studies suggest that the ability of ethanol to modify LH and prolactin levels is due to a central depression caused for alcohol. These effects of ethanol could be mediated by the hypothalamic releasing factors and/or could be due to a direct action on the pituitary function. The sum of these effects produces important failures of the reproductive function in the female rat.
D000818:Animals; D004031:Diestrus / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011359:Proestrus / Q000187:drug effects; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D000431:Ethanol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone