Is feminization in alcoholic men due in part to portal hypertension: A rat model

Abstract

The effect of surgically created portal hypertension on the liver, spleen, testes, and seminal vesicles and upon biochemical liver function tests and plasma steroid concentrations was determined in alcohol-fed and isocalorically fed control rats. Partial-portal vein ligation doubled the portal venous pressure (P < 0.01) regardless of diet. Hepatic (P < 0.05) and splenic weights (P < 0.01) of the animals with partial-portal vein ligation were greater than those of controls, regardless of diet. In contrast, no difference in testes or prostate and seminal vesicle weight was observed between ligated and nonligated animals although the weight of these organs was reduced (P < 0.01) in the alcohol-fed animals when compared to the isocaloric controls. Alcohol feeding reduced plasma testosterone levels (P < 0.01). The addition of partial-portal vein ligation did not further reduce serum levels of testosterone. Corticosterone levels were increased in both alcohol-fed and isocaloric control animals when compared to ad libitum fed animals (P < 0.01). No further increase in corticosterone was observed with the addition of partial-portal vein ligation. Plasma estradiol levels were reduced in the alcohol-fed animals (P < 0.05) consistent with the degree of gonadal atrophy present. With the addition of partial-portal vein ligation estradiol levels increased (P < 0.01) in both dietary groups. Compared to ad libitum controls, plasma estrone levels were increased (P < 0.01) in alcohol-fed animals and isocaloric controls before partial-portal vein ligation and increased further with partial-portal vein ligation. These studies are consistent with the hypothesis that portal hypertension as well as alcohol-induced liver disease, per se, are important in the pathogenesis of feminization of chronic alcoholic men.