[Morphofunctional changes in the pituitary-adrenal-gonadal system of Wistar rats exposed long to ethanol at free options].

Experiments were carried out on 40 adult male Wistar rats weighing 220-240 g, which used 15% ethanol or drinking water at free options during 2 months. Ten intact males using the drinking water ad libitum served as controls. Morphofunctional activity was morphologically and morphometrically studied in the anterior pituitary, adrenals, and testicles. The spermogram of epididymal sperm was examined. The plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, corticosterone, testosterone, and estradiol were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The rats using 15% ethanol for 2 months were observed to have feebly marked signs of the suppressed pituitary-adrenal-gonadal system depending on the dose of used ethanol. It is suggested that the amount of ethanol ingested by the animals depends on the baseline level of androgens.