Acute effect of alcohol on androgens in premenopausal women

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of alcohol on an drogen levels among premenopausal woman. Eighty-seven women in the mid-cycl e phase of the menstrual cycle, 47 of whom used oral contraceptives (OC+), were included in the study. The range for reported alcohol consumption was 0-4 drinks/day. The total testosterone levels were significantly higher aft er alcohol intake (0.5 g/kg) than after placebo at 45 min and 90 min from t he start of drinking among both OC- and OC+ subjects. This effect was also seen in the free testosterone fraction. The effect on testosterone was more prominent among OC+ subjects. Androstenedione levels were significantly lo wered and the testosterone:androstenedione ratio significantly elevated by alcohol among both OC- and OC+ subjects. No effect of alcohol on dehydroepi androsterone or dihydrotestosterone levels was observed. A positive correla tion was observed between the change in testosterone levels and the change in androstenedione levels during placebo conditions. The correlation was si gnificantly reduced during alcohol conditions among OC+ subjects, indicatin g an increased androstenedione to testosterone conversion. No significant d ose (0.34, 0.68 and 1.02 g/kg) or time (45, 90 and 150 min) effects on tota l testosterone were observed in a substudy involving 10 OC+ subjects. The p resent results suggest that the testosterone effect is related to the zero- order mechanism of ethanol oxidation. The observed testosterone and androst enedione effects are suggested to be the result of an increased androstened ione to testosterone conversion in the liver caused by the alcohol-mediated elevation in the [NADH]:[NAD(+)] ratio. The present findings may be releva nt in the development of hyperandrogenism and loss of female sexual charact eristics associated with heavy alcohol consumption.