Acute alcohol effects on plasma estradiol levels in women.

Acute administration of alcohol (0.695 g/kg) to healthy adult women resulted in peak blood alcohol levels between 70 and 75 mg/dl within 50-60 min after initiation of drinking. Alcohol induced a significant increase (means = 18 pg/ml) in plasma estradiol levels (P less than 0.01). In contrast, after placebo ingestion, plasma estradiol levels did not change significantly. After alcohol intake, plasma estradiol levels reached peak values at 25 min following initiation of drinking when blood alcohol levels averaged 34 mg/ml. It is postulated that the alcohol-induced increase in plasma estradiol is due to changes in hepatic redox states associated with the catabolism of ethanol.