Oestradiol and human male alcohol-related aggression.
OBJECTIVE
In comparison to androgens, almost nothing is known about the role of endogenous oestrogens in human aggressive behaviour. This new aspect was studied in the present investigation involving men with a history of alcohol-related aggression (AGG+) and in an age-matched male control population (AGG-).


METHODS
Male AGG+ volunteers were recruited through advertisements and the controls were drawn from the Finnish Population Register. Alcohol misuse and interpersonal partner violence were estimated by questionnaires. Endogenous hormone levels were measured from morning plasma samples.


RESULTS
A positive association emerged between plasma oestradiol and emotional negotiation during interpersonal conflict situations. Furthermore, a negative association was observed between oestradiol and testosterone-related physical, violent, aggression in the AGG+ men. In addition, oestradiol, rather than testosterone, was positively associated with psychological aggression in both groups of men.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that endogenous female sex hormones may be related to empathic behaviour and could, thus, represent a counter-balancing factor in alcohol-related male aggressive behaviour. Altogether, oestrogen may represent a multifactor ingredient in the complex interactions of partner conflicts.
Eriksson
C J Peter
CJ
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. peter.eriksson@ktl.fi
von der Pahlen
Bettina
B
Sarkola
Taisto
T
Seppä
Kaija
K
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol