A comparative analysis of the effects of narcotics, alcohol and the barbiturates on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of our current state of knowledge regarding the effects of alcohol, the narcotics and the barbiturates on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male. Three facets of this problem will be considered: acute drug effects; chronic effects, particularly with respect to the development of tolerance and physical dependence; and, finally, an attempt will be made to indicate the way in which these three substances of abuse are similar and/or dissimilar in their effects on this system. The effects of acute and chronic treatment with narcotics, alcohol and the barbiturates will be discussed first and then an attempt will be made, in a General Discussion, to summarize the data, make general comparisons between the drugs and suggest future lines of research.