Alcohol and the Release of Vasopressin and Oxytocin

Abstract

Both clinical observations and basic research studies performed during the course of many years have provided evidence that ethanol (ETOH) affects the release of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) from the neurohypophysis. In addition to the well-known diuresis that occurs after ETOH intake1-3several reports demonstrated that ETOH ingestion results in a reduction of plasma AVP levels in mammals.4-6In addition, the amount of OT released into plasma during human labor is reduced after intravenous ETOH administration.7