Vitanin A (retinol) is essential for spermatogenesis. Alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for ethanol metabolism, is also required for the conversion of retinol to bioactive retinal at the end organ site. Ethanol inhibits the oxidation of retinol by testicular homogenates containing alcohol dehydrogenase. Thus, a possible biochemnical mechanism for the sterility of chronic alcoholics is identified.