The effect of fetal exposure to ethanol on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in prepubertal and postpubertal rats

Abstract

The effects of fetal exposure to ethanol (EtOH) on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were investigated. Thirty-six, one-hundred-day-old female rats were bred and exposed to EtOH. Control animals were fed an isocaloric Bio-Serve liquid diet. EtOH exposed animals received a Bio-Serve 30% EtOH-dervied caloric liquid diet. Treatment groups were exposed during gestation only, during lactation only, or during gestation and lactation. Offspring were decapitated at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 80 days of age and trunk blood was taken in EDTA tubes, centrifuged, and stored at -20(DEGREES)C. Following re-lyophilization, the tissues were extracted with HCL and radioimmunoassayed for LHRH content. The hypothalamic LHRH content of male rats exposed to EtOH during gestation and/or suckling was significantly less than the controls at 20, 30, 40 and 80 days of age. The hypothalamic LHRH content of female rats exposed to EtOH during gestation and/or suckling was significantly less than the controls at 30 and 40 days of age. No significant differences in plasma LH were seen between the control groups and the EtOH treatment groups of either male or female rats at varying ages.