Journal of Andrology Email Content Delivery
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Iranmanesh, A.
Right arrow Articles by Lizarralde, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Iranmanesh, A.
Right arrow Articles by Lizarralde, G.

Journal of Andrology, Vol 9, Issue 3 207-214, Copyright © 1988 by The American Society of Andrology

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Alterations in the pulsatile properties of gonadotropin secretion in alcoholic men

A. Iranmanesh, J. D. Veldhuis, E. Samojlik, A. D. Rogol, M. L. Johnson and G. Lizarralde
Endocrine Section, V.A. Medical Center, Salem, Virginia 24153.

The functional characteristics of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis were examined quantitatively in 10 chronic alcoholic men without hepatic dysfunction or clinical nutritional deficiencies. Spontaneous gonadotropin pulsatility was analyzed in blood sampled every 20 minutes over a 24-hour period 3 to 16 days after abstinence from alcohol and again 29 to 39 days later. The numbers of LH and FSH pulses per 24 hours were normal in these alcoholic men compared with controls. However, we found increased mean 24-hour concentrations of immunoactive LH (P = 0.012) and FSH (P = 0.018), increased peak heights for LH (P = 0.035) and FSH (P = 0.004), decreased fractional LH (P = 0.002) and FSH (P = 0.044) pulse amplitudes and increased interpulse valley mean LH (P = 0.010) and FSH (P = 0.018) concentrations. Serum levels of total testosterone, total estradiol and estrone were normal, whereas concentrations of free testosterone and free estradiol were increased. Pituitary release of LH and FSH was normal in response to low (5-micrograms) and high (95-micrograms) doses of GnRH given intravenously. The present observations indicate that in chronically alcoholic men, acute abstinence from ethanol is associated with elevated circulating concentrations of immunoactive gonadotropins in the presence of intact spontaneous gonadotropin pulsatility, preserved pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH, and increased concentrations of free testosterone and free estradiol. Such findings are consistent with alterations in the endogenous feedback actions of sex steroid hormones in this setting.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Alcohol AlcoholHome page
M. Hasselblatt, C. Krieg-Hartig, M. Hufner, A. Halaris, and H. Ehrenreich
PERSISTENT DISTURBANCE OF THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-GONADAL AXIS IN ABSTINENT ALCOHOLIC MEN
Alcohol Alcohol., May 1, 2003; 38(3): 239 - 242.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1988 by The American Society of Andrology.