Blood ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations were compared in normal young male and female subjects after intravenous infusion of 0.5 g of ethanol/kg body weight. After the infusion was completed, females had significantly higher mean concentrations of blood ethanol than males, but a significantly lower apparent volume of distribution (Vd) of ethanol (0.56 +/- 0.06 1/kg vs 0.68 +/- 0.17 1/kg, P less than 0.05). There were no differences in ethanol elimination rate (EER) (females 1.78 +/- 0.3 mmol h-1kg-1; males 1.87 +/- 0.41 mmol h-1kg-1). The mean value of the areas under the acetaldehyde/time curves (AUC) were significantly greater for males (88.5 +/- 26.4 mumol/1. h) than for females (58.6 +/- 31.5 mumol/1. h, P less than 0.05). Since the ethanol elimination rate was similar in both sexes, the observed differences in AUC for acetaldehyde may reflect the sex differences in metabolism of this substrate by the liver.

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OBJECTIVE Thls study assessed whether functional ovarian cysts may prevent suppression of serum oestradiol levels even afler pituitary desensitization had been achieved with buserelin. PATIENTS Of 288 in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles studied 10 patients were found to have cysts with serum oestradioi levels > 200 pmoill despite 3 weeks of busereiin. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTSThe 10 patients with cysts were given 0.1 mg GnRH and serum gonadotrophlns were measured at time 0, 30 and 60 minutes subsequently. immediately following the GnRH stimulation test the cysts were aspirated transvaginally under ultrasound guidance.Serum oestradiol levels were again measured 3 days afler cyst aspiration. RESULTSBasal LH and FSH levels were <3 UlI and there was no significant rise in response to GnRH. On the day of cyst aspiration serum oestradiol levels varied between 244 and 1127 pmolli, and in ail cases serum oestradiol levels fell to < 200 pmolll within 3 days of cyst aspiration.

OBJECTIVE Thls study assessed whether functional ovarian cysts may prevent suppression of serum oestradiol levels even afler pituitary desensitization had been achieved with buserelin. PATIENTS Of 288 in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles studied 10 patients were found to have cysts with serum oestradioi levels > 200 pmoill despite 3 weeks of busereiin. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTSThe 10 patients with cysts were given 0.1 mg GnRH and serum gonadotrophlns were measured at time 0, 30 and 60 minutes subsequently. immediately following the GnRH stimulation test the cysts were aspirated transvaginally under ultrasound guidance.Serum oestradiol levels were again measured 3 days afler cyst aspiration. RESULTSBasal LH and FSH levels were <3 UlI and there was no significant rise in response to GnRH. On the day of cyst aspiration serum oestradiol levels varied between 244 and 1127 pmolli, and in ail cases serum oestradiol levels fell to < 200 pmolll within 3 days of cyst aspiration.