LH pulsatility following acute ethanol ingestion in men

Alcohol abuse leads to impotence, infertility and feminisation. Patients with chronic alcoholism have impaired hypothalamic-pituitary function, but the effect of acute alcohol intake on hypothalamic function is unclear. The present study investigated the effect of ethanol ingestion on the pulsatile release of LH. Eight healthy male volunteers, aged 24-36 years, were investigated on a control day and a study day. Blood was sampled every 15 min for 8 h. On the study day ethanol was ingested, 1.5 ml/kg as an initial dose with supplements to maintain mean levels at 110-140 mg%. LH was measured on each sample by specific radioimmunoassay. Testosterone was measured at 0, 90 and 360 min. Data were analysed for pulsatile release by visual inspection, iterative computerized analysis and for longer period secretion by spectral analysis. Pulsatile release of LH was shown for all subjects on both days. Ethanol increased median LH levels (4.8 vs 5.55), but not by a significant amount. LH pulse amplitude was increased by ethanol ingestion, 3.7 vs 5.4 IU/l; P less than 0.05. Spectral analysis demonstrated a release of LH with a wavelength of 240 min which was unchanged by ethanol administration. Testosterone levels were unchanged.