Endogenous opioid mediation of the inhibitory effect of ethanol on the prolactin response to breast stimulation in normal women.

The effect of ethanol on the prolactin (PRL) response to breast stimulation was tested in normal women. The possible role of endogenous opioids in the control of the PRL response to breast stimulation and ethanol action was also examined. Eleven normal women were tested four times on the 22nd day of four consecutive regular menstrual cycles. All women underwent mechanical breast stimulation (for 10 min) with the concomitant administration of normal saline, naloxone (2 mg in an iv bolus plus 10 mg over 75 min. or 4 mg in an iv bolus plus 20 mg over 75 min.), ethanol (50 ml in 110 ml of whiskey p.o.) or the combination of ethanol and naloxone. Serum PRL levels rose significantly after breast stimulation, with a mean peak response (71.4% higher than baseline at 20 min). The PRL response to breast stimulation was not changed by the treatment with the lower (2 plus 10 mg) or the higher (4 plus 20 mg) dose of naloxone, whereas it was strikingly decreased by ethanol (mean peak was 25% higher than baseline). However, when ethanol was given together with naloxone, the peak rise induced by breast stimulation was only partially inhibited by ethanol (the mean PRL peak was 46.2% higher than baseline). At both doses naloxone produced similar effects. These data demonstrate that ethanol inhibits the PRL response to breast stimulation. Naloxone-sensitive endogenous opioids do not appear to be involved in the control of the PRL rise induced by breast stimulation. In contrast, since naloxone partially reversed the inhibiting effects of ethanol, a partial involvement of opioid peptides in ethanol action is supposed.