Lack of acute alcohol effects on estradiol and luteinizing hormone in female macaque monkey

The effects of alcohol (1.5, 2.5, 3.5 g/kg) on 17-beta estradiol and LH were evaluated in adult female Macaque monkeys. Integrated plasma samples were collected prior to and following nasogastric intubation of alcohol or isocaloric sucrose control solutions. Samples were collected at 30 minute intervals over 240 minutes. Each alcohol dose and control was studied at menstruation, the peri-ovulatory and mid-luteal periods and the premenstruum. After low, moderate and high doses of alcohol, blood alcohol levels (BAL) averaged 140, 260 and 344 mg/dl at the peak of the ascending BAL curve. Despite high blood alcohol levels, there was no evidence of alcohol dose-related suppression of LH or 17-beta estradiol at any phase of the menstrual cycle. These data are consistent with our findings in human females that acute alcohol intoxication did not suppress LH or estradiol. The apparent resiliency of human and Macaque females to acute alcohol effects on reproductive hormones contrasts sharply with data obtained in males that alcohol significantly suppresses testosterone in all species studied.