Rats were administered either a single dose of alcohol or a corresponding amount of alcohol-free salt solution (i.e., saline) immediately following determination of their baseline LH levels. Blood was sampled again after 90 minutes, before IGF-1 was injected directly into the brain in the region of the hypothalamus of each rat. Levels of LH decreased in the alcohol-fed rats and failed to increase in response to IGF-1 injection, potentially suppressing LH-induced ovulation.

Source: Dees, W.L., et al. Alcohol’s effects on female puberty: The role of insulin-like growth factor 1. Alcohol Health & Research World 22(3):165–169, 1998.

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Prepared: February 2001