This application is a request for an ADAMHA RSDA (Level II). The objective of this proposed research is intended to relate to the possible consequences of ethanol (ETOH) consumption during pregnancy, or by adolescents with regard to the regulation of the endocrine system before and during puberty. Both in vivo and in vitro techniques will be used to ascertain whether ETOH administered during prenatal, late juvenile and peripubertal periods will alter the secretion of various hypothalamic, pituitary and ovarian hormones known to be important in the chain of events leading to the normal onset of puberty. Hypothalamic hormones to be analyzed in this study are luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), substance P (SP), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIF). Norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) will also be analyzed using HPLC. Pituitary hormones which will be measured will consist of luteinizing hormone follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin and growth hormone. Also, several ovarian hormones will be measured including SP, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y, as well as estradiol and progesterone. In vitro studies will be used to investigate the mechanism of action by which ETOH affects the hypothalamic release of LHRH, GHRH and SRIF in the peripubertal animal. These studies are designed to determine the effects of ETOH alone or in combination with NE, DA, prostaglandin E2 or SP on the release of these peptides from isolated ME and blocks of preoptic area-medial basal hypothalamus. Also, in vitro studies will be used to analyze any effects which ETOH may have on VIP-induced steroidogenesis in juvenile and peripubertal ovaries. Thus, it will be possible to determine a detailed profile of the effects of ETOH for each of the hormones known to be predominantly involved in controlling the onset of puberty and subsequent sexual maturation. If funded, this award would provide an excellent opportunity for professional scientific growth since it would enable the investigator to spend more time in the laboratory and on collaborations with other scientists from both Texas A&M as well as the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. Specifically, it would allow more time for the investigator to pursue new ideas and learn new research techniques and assays with which to continue developing a sound alcohol research program.
