Alcohol effects on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in female rhesus monkeys.

The effects of acute alcohol administration on anterior pituitary function were studied in eight female rhesus monkeys during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Integrated plasma samples were collected for 80 min before and 120 min after nasogastric intubation of alcohol (2.5 or 3.5 g/kg) or isocaloric sucrose control solution. Synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH; 100 micrograms i.v.) was then administered, and plasma samples were collected for an additional 180 min. After sucrose control administration, LHRH stimulated a significant increase in both LH (P less than .001) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (P less than .004) within 30 and 80 min, respectively. After alcohol administration, LHRH-stimulated LH increased significantly (P less than .001) within 15 min when blood alcohol levels averaged 184 ( +/- 14.3) and 276 ( +/- 14.9)mg/dl. However, FSH levels remained equivalent to base line after alcohol and LHRH administration. The prevention by alcohol of LHRH stimulation of FSH during the follicular phase suggests that alcohol may attenuate normal follicular maturation, which in turn could result in luteal phase inadequacy or anovulation, conditions often observed in alcohol-dependent women and in animal models of alcoholism.