42 results on '"sex dimorphism"'
Search Results
2. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of incident young-onset hypertension: Effect modification by sex.
- Author
-
Kim, Yejin, Chang, Yoosoo, Ryu, Seungho, Park, Soyoung, Cho, Yoosun, Sohn, Won, Kang, Jeonggyu, Wild, Sarah H., and Byrne, Christopher D.
- Abstract
Although nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hypertension are increasingly common among young adults, it is uncertain if NAFLD affects incidence of young-onset hypertension, and if the association is modified by sex. We investigated potential effect modification by sex on the association between NAFLD and incident hypertension in young adults (<40 years). This cohort study comprised 85,789 women and 67,553 men aged <40 years without hypertension at baseline. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by liver ultrasound and classified as mild or moderate/severe. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure (BP) ≥130/80 mmHg; self-reported history of physician-diagnosed hypertension; or current use of BP-lowering medications. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for incident hypertension by NAFLD status (median follow-up 4.5 years). A total of 25,891 participants developed incident hypertension (incidence rates per 10
3 person-years: 15.6 for women and 63.5 for men). Multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for incident hypertension comparing no NAFLD (reference) with mild or moderate/severe NAFLD were 1.68 (1.56–1.80) and 1.83 (1.60–2.09) for women and 1.21 (1.17–1.25) and 1.23 (1.17–1.30) for men, respectively. Stronger associations were consistently observed between NAFLD and incident hypertension in women, regardless of obesity/central obesity (all p -values for interaction by sex <0.001). NAFLD is a potential risk factor for young-onset hypertension with a relatively greater impact in women and in those with more severe hepatic steatosis. [Display omitted] • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increases risks of young-onset hypertension. • The association between NAFLD and young-onset hypertension was independent of obesity. • The presence of NAFLD attenuates protection against hypertension in young women. • Sex-specific multisystem consequences of NAFLD in younger people deserves more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Impact of psychological stressors on natural killer cell function: A comprehensive analysis based on stressor type, duration, intensity, and species.
- Author
-
Katz, Alexis R., Huntwork, Margaret P., Kolls, Jay K., Hewes, Jenny L., Ellsworth, Calder R., Clark, Robert D.E., and Carlson, John C.
- Subjects
- *
KILLER cells , *MACROPHAGE activation syndrome , *HERPESVIRUS diseases , *CELL physiology , *SEXUAL dimorphism - Abstract
• There is an inverse relationship between psychological stress and natural kill cell activity in humans. • Sexually dimorphic effects of psychological stressors on NK cell number and function, with an overall immunosuppressive phenotype in females. • Mice may be inadequate models of study when assessing the effect of psychological stress on natural killer cell function. Patients with natural killer (NK) cell deficiency or dysfunction are more susceptible to infections by Herpesviridae viruses, herpesvirus-related cancers, and macrophage activation syndromes. This review summarizes research on NK cell dysfunction following psychological stress, focusing on stressor type, duration, age of exposure, and species studied. Psychological stressors negatively affect NK cell activity (NKCA) across species. Prolonged stress leads to more significant decreases in NK cell number and function, with rehabilitation efforts proving ineffective in reversing these effects. Early life and prolonged stress exposure particularly increases the risk of infections and cancer due to impaired NKCA. The review also highlights that stress impacts males and females differently, with females exhibiting a more immunosuppressed NK cell phenotype. Notably, mice respond differently compared to humans and other animals, making them unsuitable for NK cell stress-related studies. Most studies measured NKCA using cytolytic assays against K-562 or YAC-1 cells. Although the exact mechanisms of NK cell dysfunction under stress remain unclear, potential causes include reduced release of secretory lysosomes with perforin or granzyme, impaired NK cell synapse formation, decreased expression of synapse-related molecules like CD2 or LFA-1 (CD11a), altered activating receptor expression, and dysregulated signaling pathways, such as decreased Erk1/2 phosphorylation and NFkB signaling. These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive, and future research is needed to clarify these pathways and develop therapeutic interventions for stress-induced immune dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2025
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Microglia: Ally and Enemy in Deep Space.
- Author
-
Rienecker, Kira D.A., Paladini, Maria Serena, Grue, Katherine, Krukowski, Karen, and Rosi, Susanna
- Subjects
- *
GALACTIC cosmic rays , *ASTROPHYSICAL radiation , *MICROGLIA , *COGNITIVE ability , *SOLAR flares - Abstract
[Display omitted] • Resting microglia survey the brain and maintain homeostasis. • Simulated Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) exposure triggers chronic microglia activation. • GCR-exposure results in altered synaptic and cognitive functions. • GCR exposure results in sex dimorphic features. • Microglia depletion and repopulation in male mice prevents GCR effects. In 2024 the first female astronaut will land on the moon, advancing our preparations for human missions to Mars. While on Earth we are protected from space radiation by our planet's magnetic field, on such deep space voyages astronauts will be exposed to high energy particles from solar flares and galactic cosmic rays (GCR). This exposure carries risks to the central nervous system (CNS) that could jeopardize the mission and astronaut health. Earth-bound studies have employed a variety of single-beam and sequential radiation exposures to simulate the effects of GCR exposure in rodents. Multiple studies have shown that GCR simulation induces a maladaptive activation of microglia – the brain-resident immune cells. GCR simulation also induced synaptic changes resulting in lasting cognitive and behavioral defects. Female and male mice show different susceptibilities to GCR exposure, and evidence suggests this sexually dimorphic response is linked to microglia. Manipulating microglia can prevent the development of cognitive deficits in male mice exposed to components of GCR. This discovery may provide clues towards how to protect astronauts' cognitive and behavioral health both during deep space missions and upon return to Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Comparison of joint degeneration and pain in male and female mice in DMM model of osteoarthritis.
- Author
-
Hwang, H.S., Park, I.Y., Hong, J.I., Kim, J.R., and Kim, H.A.
- Abstract
Objective: While the prevalence of radiographic and symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) is higher in women, male mice are more frequently used in animal experiments to explore its pathogenesis or drug efficacy. In this study, we examined whether sexual dimorphism affects pain and joint degeneration in destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model.Methods: DMM or sham surgery was performed on the knee of male and female C57BL/6 mice. Joint damage was assessed by safranin O staining and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. Von Frey hair, incapacitance, and rotarod tests were conducted to measure joint pain. The analgesic effect of capsazepine (CPZ), a TRPV1 antagonist, was compared between male and female mice.Results: Histology and OARSI scoring analysis showed that cartilage degeneration developed, and progressed in both male and female DMM groups, however, damage was less severe in females at the late stage of OA. Pain behavior, as measured by mechanical allodynia, was displayed for longer in male DMM mice compared to females. Incapacitance data showed that CPZ significantly reduced DMM-induced pain in male mice but not in female mice. Immunofluorescence microscopy analysis demonstrated that DMM surgery increased the expression of TRPV1 in both female and male dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Injection of CPZ significantly suppressed TRPV1 expression in the DRG of male mice only.Conclusion: Joint damage develops comparably in both female and male mice after DMM although it progresses less in females. There was a subtle sex difference in pain behaviors and analgesic efficacy of a TRPV1 antagonist, which was accompanied by a differential regulation of TPRV1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. 17β-estradiol ameliorates lipotoxicity-induced hepatic mitochondrial oxidative stress and insulin resistance.
- Author
-
Galmés-Pascual, Bel M., Martínez-Cignoni, Melanie Raquel, Morán-Costoya, Andrea, Bauza-Thorbrügge, Marco, Sbert-Roig, Miquel, Valle, Adamo, Proenza, Ana M., Lladó, Isabel, and Gianotti, Magdalena
- Subjects
- *
INSULIN resistance , *OXIDATIVE stress , *PREDIABETIC state , *FATTY liver , *POSTMENOPAUSE , *ESTROGEN , *HEPATOTOXICOLOGY - Abstract
The prevalence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is higher in men and postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women, suggesting a protective role for ovarian hormones. Diet-induced obesity and fatty acids surplus promote mitochondrial dysfunction in liver, triggering oxidative stress and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) which has been related to the development of insulin resistance and steatosis, the main hallmarks of NAFLD. Considering that estrogen, in particular 17β-estradiol (E2), have been reported to improve mitochondrial biogenesis and function in liver, our aim was to elucidate the role of E2 in preventing fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in hepatocytes through modulation of mitochondrial function, oxidative stress and JNK activation. An in vivo study was conducted in Wistar rats of both sexes (n = 7) fed control diet and high-fat diet (HFD), and in vitro studies were carried out in HepG2 cells treated with palmitate (PA) and E2 for 24 h. Our HFD-fed male rats showed a prediabetic state characterized by greater systemic and hepatic insulin resistance, as well as higher lipid content in liver, compared to females. JNK activation rose markedly in males in response to HFD feeding, in parallel with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Consistently, in PA-exposed HepG2 cells, E2 treatment prevented JNK activation, insulin resistance and fatty acid accumulation. Altogether, our data highlights the importance of E2 as a mitigating factor of fatty acid-insulin resistance in hepatocytes through downregulation of JNK activation, by means of mitochondrial function improvement. Image 1 • Females are more protected against liver steatosis than males. • E2 has beneficial effects on mitochondria by decreasing oxidative stress. • In hepatocytes E2 prevents insulin resistance associated to lipotoxicity. • The role of E2 improving insulin sensitivity involve JNK downregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Myeloid-specific deletion of group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 induces pro-inflammatory LPS response predominantly in male mice via MIP-1α activation.
- Author
-
Klement, Lukas, Jansakun, Chutima, Yan, Bin, Staffer, Simone, Tuma-Kellner, Sabine, Altamura, Sandro, Muckenthaler, Martina, Merle, Uta, and Chamulitrat, Walee
- Subjects
- *
PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 , *BLOOD proteins , *BASIC proteins , *PHOSPHOLIPASES , *AUTOIMMUNE hepatitis , *HEPATIC fibrosis - Abstract
Polymorphisms of group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (PLA2G6) are associated with blood C-reactive protein suggesting its role in inflammation. We showed that myeloid-specific Pla2g6-deficiency in Pla2g6M−/− mice led to exaggerated inflammation and fibrosis in a lean fatty liver model. We here investigated whether these mutants display alteration in immune response after treatment with E. coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) under acute (a single dose) and persistent (four doses) conditions. Without LPS treatment, male Pla2g6M−/− (but not Flox) mice at 12 months of age exhibited splenomegaly and hepatic necrosis, and ~ 30 % of them exhibited autoimmune hepatitis showing lymphoplasma cells with CD3(+) and CD45R(+) staining. Under acute LPS, male mutants showed an elevation of plasma MIP-1α and immunoglobulinA as well as upregulation of hepatic apoptosis and fibrosis PARP-1, Bax, MCP-1, α-SMA, and collagen I proteins. Their bone-marrow-derived macrophages also showed an elevation of MIP-1α release upon LPS stimulation in vitro. Female mutants under acute LPS showed a moderate increase in plasma KC/CXCL1, MCP-1, and IL10, and they showed no remarkable increase in hepatic fibrosis under acute or persistent LPS. Male mutants under persistent LPS displayed an elevation of aspartate aminotransferase, blood eosinophils, and hepatic apoptosis. Moreover, ~30 % of these mutants exhibited eosinophilic sclerosing portal hepatitis associated with an upregulated protein expression of hepatic CD8α, CD68, eosinophilic cationic protein, and Ly6G. Thus, myeloid-PLA2G6 deficiency led to an autoimmune and LPS-induced inflammatory liver disease via MIP-1α in a male-predominant manner. Our results may be applicable to patients with PLA2G6 mutations who undergo bacterial infection and sepsis. [Display omitted] • We studied myeloid-PLA2G6 deficient mice under acute and tolerant/persistent LPS. • Without LPS, 30 % of male mutants show autoimmune hepatitis greater than females. • Male mutants show increased hepatic necrosis, MIP-1α release in plasma and BMDMs. • Under persistent LPS, male mutants show eosinophilic sclerosing portal hepatitis. • Mutants of both sexes show increased hepatic myeloperoxidase and leukotriene B4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Development of sexual dimorphism of skeletal muscles through the adrenal cortex, caused by androgen-induced global gene suppression.
- Author
-
Takahashi, Fumiya, Baba, Takashi, Christianto, Antonius, Yanai, Shogo, Lee-Okada, Hyeon-Cheol, Ishiwata, Keisuke, Nakabayashi, Kazuhiko, Hata, Kenichiro, Ishii, Tomohiro, Hasegawa, Tomonobu, Yokomizo, Takehiko, Choi, Man Ho, and Morohashi, Ken-ichirou
- Abstract
The zona fasciculata (zF) in the adrenal cortex contributes to multiple physiological actions through glucocorticoid synthesis. The size, proliferation, and glucocorticoid synthesis characteristics are all female biased, and sexual dimorphism is established by androgen. In this study, transcriptomes were obtained to unveil the sex differentiation mechanism. Interestingly, both the amount of mRNA and the expressions of nearly all genes were higher in females. The expression of Nr5a1 , which is essential for steroidogenic cell differentiation, was also female biased. Whole-genome studies demonstrated that NR5A1 regulates nearly all gene expression directly or indirectly. This suggests that androgen-induced global gene suppression is potentially mediated by NR5A1. Using Nr5a1 heterozygous mice, whose adrenal cortex is smaller than the wild type, we demonstrated that the size of skeletal muscles is possibly regulated by glucocorticoid synthesized by zF. Taken together, considering the ubiquitous presence of glucocorticoid receptors, our findings provide a pathway for sex differentiation through glucocorticoid synthesis. [Display omitted] • Adrenal zona fasciculata cells show globally female-biased transcription • Nr5a1 governs gene expression globally in adrenal zona fasciculata cells • Androgen suppresses cellular transcription globally via suppressing Nr5a1 • Sexually dimorphic corticosterone levels trigger sex difference in skeletal muscles Takahashi et al. demonstrate globally female-biased transcription impacting glucocorticoid synthesis in adrenocortical zona fasciculata cells. NR5A1 (Ad4BP/SF-1) possibly mediates androgen-induced suppression of global transcription. This study suggests a pathway for sex differentiation via glucocorticoid synthesis, affecting various tissues due to the ubiquitous expression of glucocorticoid receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration in the developing mouse brain is sex-, age- and tissue-dependent.
- Author
-
Christian, Arias-Reyes, Losantos-Ramos, Karen, Marcelino, Gonzales, Daniela, Furrer, and Jorge, Soliz
- Subjects
- *
RESPIRATION , *ADENOSINE triphosphatase , *BRAIN , *BRAIN stem , *NEURAL development , *ONTOGENY , *OXYGEN consumption - Abstract
• NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration at P3 is double in the brainstem compared tocortex. • NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration in the cortex is sex-dependent at P21 and adulthood, with male's higher than female's. • NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration in the brainstem is sex-dependent only at adult ages, with male's higher than female's. Mitochondria play a major role in the brain. Apart from energy production, mitochondria regulate key factors in the activation of cell signaling pathways such as survival, proliferation, and differentiation. While all these processes occur during the physiological development of the brain, it is surprising that the mitochondrial functions and functioning in the brain during the postnatal development remain poorly explored. In this work, we collected samples of brainstem and cortex of mice at postnatal ages 3 (P3), 21 (P21), and at adulthood (3 months old) and evaluated the mitochondrial oxygen consumption after complex I activation. To do so, we used our oxygraph-2 K system (OROBOROS) that measures the mitochondrial bioenergetics in saponin-permeabilized tissue punches of 2 mg weight. Furthermore, as sex dimorphism in the brain occurs since very early stages of development, we performed experiments in brain samples of male and female mice. Accordingly, the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was evaluated under activation of complex I (NADH-linked respiration – mitochondrial state 3), and during the inhibition of the complex V (ATP synthase) with oligomycin (mitochondrial state 4). In following, the respiratory control ratio (RCR – state 3/state4) was calculated as an index of mitochondrial oxidative-phosphorylation coupling. Our results show that the activity of the mitochondrial complex I in the brain increases along with the postnatal development in a sex- and tissue-dependent manner, with males showing higher activity than females, and with brainstem tissue showing higher activity than cortex. Our data may contribute to a better understanding of the sex-dependent maturation of the cortex and the cardiorespiratory network located in the brainstem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. The sex differences of the behavior response to early Life immune stimulation: Microglia and astrocytes involvement.
- Author
-
Berkiks, I., Garcia-Segura, L.M., Nassiri, A., Mesfioui, A., Ouichou, A., Boulbaroud, S., Bahbiti, Y., Lopez-Rodriguez, A.B., Hasnaoui, El, and El Hessni, A.
- Abstract
Abstract It is well known that inflammatory challenge during the prenatal period results in permanent changes in glial cells and behavior in adulthood. However, it is unknown whether inflammatory challenge during the infantile period may have permanent sexually-dimorphic effects on microglia and astrocytes in vivo, which in turn may be associated with sex differences in adult behavior. In this study, we have evaluated whether postnatal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 250μg/kg, i.p. on postnatal day 14) induces depressive and less anxiety-like behaviors, glial cell activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha) secretion and sexually dimorphic responses in adulthood. Postnatal day 14 (P14) male and female Wistar rats received an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of LPS or PBS. Three months later, animals were tested in the Open Field (OF), the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and the Forced Swimming Test (FST) to assess the level of anxiety and depression-like behavior. Hippocampal proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha concentration and the number of astrocytes and microglia were estimated in the dentate gyrus, CA1, and CA3 in two regions of the hippocampus (ventral and dorsal). Our results showed that the administration of LPS resulted in less anxiety and depression-like behavior in males but not in females. However, the LPS-administration increased the number of microglia in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus areas in females more than male, while no significant differences in TNFα level had been detected between the LPS-rats treated and their controls. Interestingly, LPS resulted in an increase in the number of astrocytes in both areas of the hippocampus in a female. While in a male, our results showed a decrease in astrocytes number in the dorsal hippocampus, but no significant differences observed in ventral hippocampus. These findings indicate that an immune challenge in infantile rats induces a ventral and dorsal hippocampus damage in female more than in male, without affecting significantly the affective behavior changes in the female. The results also showed that small changes in the male hippocampus can affect the behavior and induce a depression-like behavior. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • The postnatal PND 14 administration of LPS, has a permanent effect on the number of glial cells in the female hippocampus • LPS induced an increase in a number of astrocytes in CA1 and CA3, but no changes are observed in DG in male dorsal hippocampus • Immune challenge in infantile rats induces a ventral and dorsal hippocampus damage in female more than in male, without affecting significantly the affective behavior changes in the female • Immune challenge in infantile rats induces a ventral and dorsal hippocampus damage in female more than in male, without affecting significantly the affective behavior changes in the female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Sex dimorphism and cancer immunotherapy: May pregnancy solve the puzzle?
- Author
-
Venanzi, Francesco Maria, Bini, Marta, Nuccio, Antonio, De Toma, Alessandro, Lambertini, Matteo, Ogliari, Francesca Rita, Oresti, Sara, Viganò, Maria Grazia, Brioschi, Elena, Polignano, Maggie, Naldini, Matteo Maria, Riva, Silvia, Ferrara, Michele, Fogale, Nicola, Damiano, Giuseppe, Russo, Vincenzo, Reni, Michele, Veronesi, Giulia, Foggetti, Giorgia, and Conforti, Fabio
- Abstract
• Sex dimorphism could affect tumor microenvironment and anticancer immunity. • Possible role of sex dimorphism may occur when ICI is used as single agent. • Pregnancy leads to changes in the immune system and some may be permanent. • Fetal-maternal microchimerism affects cancer development and ICI activity. • Immunological memory to cancer-fetal shared antigens influence outcomes upon ICI. In the immunoncology era, growing evidence has shown a clear sex dimorphism in antitumor immune response with a potential impact on outcomes upon immunecheckpoint blockade (ICI) in patients with cancer. Sex dimorphism could affect tumor microenvironment composition and systemic anticancer immunity; however, the modifications induced by sex are heterogeneous. From a clinical perspective, six metanalyses have explored the role of sex in cancer patients receiving ICI with conflicting results. Environmental and reproductive factors may further jeopardize the sex-related heterogeneity in anticancer immune response. In particular, pregnancy is characterized by orchestrated changes in the immune system, some of which could be long lasting. A persistence of memory T-cells with a potential fetal-antigen specificity has been reported both in human and mice, suggesting that a previous pregnancy may positively impact cancer development or response to ICI, in case of fetal-antigen sharing from tumor cells. On the other hand, a previous pregnancy may also be associated with a regulatory memory characterized by increased tolerance and anergy towards cancer-fetal common antigens. Finally, fetal-maternal microchimerism could represent an additional source of chronic exposure to fetal antigens and may have important immunological implications on cancer development and ICI activity. So far, the role of pregnancy dimorphism (nulliparous vs parous) in women and the impact of pregnancy-related variables remain largely underexplored in cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the evidence regarding sex and pregnancy dimorphism in the context of immune response and anticancer immunotherapy and advocate the importance of analyzing pregnancy variables on ICIs clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Integrated analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression profiles reveals muscle growth differences between adult female and male Chinese concave-eared frogs (Odorrana tormota).
- Author
-
Shu, Yilin, Xia, Jinquan, Yu, Qiang, Wang, Gang, Zhang, Jihui, He, Jun, Wang, Huan, Zhang, Ling, and Wu, Hailong
- Subjects
- *
MESSENGER RNA , *MICRORNA , *MUSCLE growth , *HUMAN growth , *VERTEBRATE genetics - Abstract
Abstract The Chinese concave-eared torrent frog (Odorrana tormota) is the first known non-mammalian vertebrate that can communicate using ultrasound. In this species, females are approximately four times as large as males, in which the female growth rate is obviously higher than that of male. Until now, the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle growth development differences between male and female frogs have not been reported. Here, we integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profiles to reveal growth differences in the hindlimb muscles of 2-year-old frogs. Among 569 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 69 were associated with muscle growth and regeneration. Fifty-one up-regulated genes in females were potentially involved in promoting muscle growth and regeneration, whereas 18 up-regulated genes in males may lead to muscle growth inhibition and fast-twitch muscle fiber contraction. 244 DEGs were enriched in mTOR and other protein synthesis signaling pathways, and protein degradation pathways, including lysosomal protease, calpain, caspase, and ubiquitin–proteasome system pathways. It may interpret why female muscles grow faster than males. Based on expression differences of genes involved in glycolysis and oxidative metabolism, we speculated that the proportion of slow muscle fiber was higher and that of fast muscle fiber was lower in female compared with male muscle. Additionally, 767 miRNAs were identified, including 217 new miRNAs, and 6248 miRNA-negatively regulated mRNAs were predicted. The miRNA target genes were enriched in pathways related to muscle growth, protein synthesis, and degradation. Thus, in addition to the identified mRNA differential expressions, miRNAs may play other important roles in the differential regulation of hindlimb muscle growth between female and male O. tormota. Highlights • 69 muscle growth and 7 lipid metabolism genes were identified. • mTOR and other protein synthesis pathways promote muscle protein synthesis of female frogs. • Ubiquitin–proteasome system pathways and other pathways promote protein degradation of male frogs. • miRNA target genes were enriched in muscle growth, protein synthesis and degradation-related pathways. • miRNAs may play important roles in the differential regulation of hindlimb muscle growth between female and male O. tormota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Sex differences in the development of hepatic steatosis in cafeteria diet-induced obesity in young mice.
- Author
-
Gasparin, Fabiana Rodrigues Silva, Carreño, Fernando Olinto, Mewes, Juliana Moraes, Gilglioni, Eduardo Hideo, Pagadigorria, Clairce Luzia Salgueiro, Natali, Maria Raquel Marçal, Utsunomiya, Karina Sayuri, Constantin, Rodrigo Polimeni, Ouchida, Amanda Tomie, Curti, Carlos, Gaemers, Ingrid C., Elferink, Ronald Petrus Johannes Oude, Constantin, Jorgete, and Ishii-Iwamoto, Emy Luiza
- Subjects
- *
FATTY degeneration , *WEIGHT gain , *OBESITY , *FATTY liver , *OXIDATIVE stress , *MALONDIALDEHYDE , *MESSENGER RNA , *GENE expression - Abstract
The present study was planned to improve our understanding about sex differences in the development of hepatic steatosis in cafeteria diet-induced obesity in young mice. Female (FCaf) and male (MCaf) mice fed a cafeteria diet had similar body weight gain and adiposity index, but FCaf had a more extensive steatosis than MCaf. FCaf livers exhibited a higher non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score, elevated lipid percentage area (+34%) in Sudan III staining and increased TG content (+25%) compared to MCaf. Steatosis in FCaf was not correlated with changes in the transcript levels of lipid metabolism-related genes, but a reduced VLDL release rate was observed. Signs of oxidative stress were found in FCaf livers, as elevated malondialdehyde content (+110%), reduced catalase activity (−36%) and increased Nrf2 and Hif1a mRNA expression compared to MCaf. Interestingly, fibroblast growth factor 21 ( Fgf21 ) mRNA expression was found to be exclusively induced in MCaf, which also exhibited higher FGF21 serum levels (+416%) and hepatic protein abundance (+163%) than FCaf. Moreover, cafeteria diet increased Fgfr1 , Fsp27 and Ucp1 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue of males (MCaf), but not females (FCaf). FGF21 hepatic production by male mice seems to be part of a complex network of responses to the nutritional stress of the cafeteria diet, probably related to the unfolded protein response activation. Although aimed at the restoration of hepatic metabolic homeostasis, the branch involving Fgf21 upregulation seems to be impaired in females, rendering them incapable of reducing the hepatic lipid content and cellular oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Estrogens Promote Misfolded Proinsulin Degradation to Protect Insulin Production and Delay Diabetes.
- Author
-
Xu, Beibei, Allard, Camille, Alvarez-Mercado, Ana I., Fuselier, Taylor, Kim, Jun Ho, Coons, Laurel A., Hewitt, Sylvia C., Urano, Fumihiko, Korach, Kenneth S., Levin, Ellis R., Arvan, Peter, Floyd, Z. Elizabeth, and Mauvais-Jarvis, Franck
- Abstract
Summary Conjugated estrogens (CE) delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in postmenopausal women, but the mechanism is unclear. In T2D, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fails to promote proinsulin folding and, in failing to do so, promotes ER stress and β cell dysfunction. We show that CE prevent insulin-deficient diabetes in male and in female Akita mice using a model of misfolded proinsulin. CE stabilize the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) system and promote misfolded proinsulin proteasomal degradation. This involves activation of nuclear and membrane estrogen receptor-α (ERα), promoting transcriptional repression and proteasomal degradation of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and ERAD degrader, UBC6e. The selective ERα modulator bazedoxifene mimics CE protection of β cells in females but not in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Supplementation of suckling rats with cow's milk induces hyperphagia and higher visceral adiposity in females at adulthood, but not in males.
- Author
-
Rodrigues, Vanessa Silva Tavares, Moura, Egberto Gaspar, Bernardino, Dayse Nascimento, Carvalho, Janaine Cavalcanti, Soares, Patricia Novaes, Peixoto, Thamara Cherem, Peixoto-Silva, Nayara, Oliveira, Elaine, and Lisboa, Patricia Cristina
- Subjects
- *
FAT , *HYPERPHAGIA , *MILK proteins , *INFANT nutrition , *INFANT weaning - Abstract
In humans, complementary feeding should be started after 6 months-old; the introduction of any food or water before this time is considered early weaning, which is associated with health problems in adulthood. Cow's milk is a common food introduced to children less than 6 months that has inadequate nutritional composition mainly due to a worse casein: whey protein ratio compared to human milk. We hypothesized that suckling rats fed with cow's milk, rich in bioactive peptides, develop further metabolic dysfunctions. From postnatal day (PN) 14 to 20, Wistar rat pups were divided into 3 groups: rat milk (RM) - pups received rat milk orally in a syringe; cow's milk (CM), pups received cow's milk; CM with high protein (CM-H), CM with twice protein amount of rat milk. Pups were killed on PN21 and PN180. At PN21, CM males had lower visceral fat mass compared with other groups. Serum corticosterone was higher in CM-H males, despite no change in glucocorticoid metabolism in liver and visceral fat. At PN180, CM and CM-H females had greater fat depots and hyperphagia, although no alteration in leptinemia and leptin signaling in hypothalamus. CM-H females had a trend of hypoinsulinemia and significant decrease in HOMA-β, suggesting lower insulin secretion. Males from CM-H group had only lower total body protein mass. CM males had hypercorticosteronemia associated with lower expression of 11βHDS1 in visceral fat. In conclusion, early introduction of cow's milk in neonate rats leads to gender-dependent differences in metabolic and endocrine parameters in the short- and long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Effects of exercise and enrichment on behaviour in CD-1 mice.
- Author
-
Aujnarain, Amiirah B., Luo, Owen D., Taylor, Natalie, Lai, Jonathan K.Y., and Foster, Jane A.
- Subjects
- *
EXERCISE , *COGNITION , *LABORATORY mice , *SEXUAL dimorphism in animals , *EXPERIMENTAL design - Abstract
A host of scholarly work has characterized the positive effects of exercise and environmental enrichment on behaviour and cognition in animal studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the uptake and longitudinal impact of exercise and enrichment on the behavioural phenotype of male and female CD-1 mice. CD-1 mice housed in standard (STD) or exercise and enrichment (EE) conditions post-weaning were tested in the 3-chamber sociability test, open field, and elevated plus maze and exercise activity was monitored throughout the enrichment protocol. Male and female EE mice both showed reduced anxiety and activity in the open field and elevated plus maze relative to sex-matched STD mice. EE altered social behaviours in a sex-specific fashion, with only female EE mice showing increased social preference relative to female STD mice and a preference for social novelty only present in male EE mice. This sexual dimorphism was not observed to be a product of exercise uptake, as CD-1 mice of both sexes demonstrated a consistent trend of wheel rotation frequencies. These findings suggest the importance of considering variables such as sex and strain on experimental design variables in future work on environmental enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Sex-dependent endozepinergic regulation of ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus glucose counter-regulatory neuron aromatase protein expression in the adult rat.
- Author
-
Mahmood, A.S.M. Hasan, Roy, Sagor C., Leprince, Jérôme, and Briski, Karen P.
- Subjects
- *
AROMATASE , *PROTEIN expression , *GABAERGIC neurons , *NEURONS , *GLUCOSE , *HYPOTHALAMUS , *G protein coupled receptors - Abstract
The hypothalamic brain cell types that produce estradiol from testosterone remain unclear. Aromatase inhibition affects ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) glucose-stimulatory nitric oxide (NO) and glucose-inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission during insulin (INS)-induced hypoglycemia (IIH). Pure GABA and NO nerve cell samples acquired by laser-catapult-microdissection from consecutive rostro-caudal segments of the VMN were analyzed by Western blot to investigate whether regional subpopulations of each cell type contain machinery for neuro-estradiol synthesis. Astrocyte endozepinergic signaling governs brain steroidogenesis. Pharmacological tools were used here to determine if the glio-peptide octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) controls aromatase expression in GABA and NO neurons during eu- and/or hypoglycemia. Intracerebroventricular administration of the ODN G-protein coupled-receptor antagonist cyclo (1−8) [DLeu5]OP (LV-1075) decreased (male) or enhanced (female) VMN GABAergic neuron aromatase expression, but increased or reduced this profile in nitrergic neurons in a region-specific manner in each sex. IIH suppressed aromatase levels in GABA neurons located in the middle segment of the male VMN or distributed throughout this nucleus in the female. This inhibitory response was altered by the ODN isoactive surrogate octapeptide (OP) in female, but was refractory to OP in male. NO neuron aromatase protein in hypoglycemic male (middle and caudal VMN) and female (rostral and caudal VMN) rats, but was normalized in OP- plus INS-treated rats of both sexes. Results provide novel evidence that VMN glucose-regulatory neurons may produce neuro-estradiol, and that the astrocyte endozepine transmitter ODN may impose sex-specific control of baseline and/or hypoglycemic patterns of aromatase expression in distinct subsets of nitrergic and GABAergic neurons in this neural structure. • Ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) cell sources of neuroestradiol are not known. • Aromatase inhibition affects hypoglycemic patterns of VMN glucose-stimulatory transmission. • VMN GABAergic and nitrergic neuron cell samples were laser-catapult-microdissected for aromatase Western blotting. • Astrocyte endozepinergic signaling regulates brain steroidogenesis. • Pharmacological tools were used to determine if octadecaneuropeptide controls VMN glucose-regulator neuron aromatase expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Effects of dietary supplementation of estradiol-17β during fry stage on growth, physiological and immune parameters and gonadal gene expression in adult snakeskin gourami.
- Author
-
Kabpha, A., Phonsiri, K., Pasomboon, P., and Boonanuntanasarn, S.
- Abstract
• Sex reversal has gained interest in economically important fish species. • Hormonal sex reversal in early life stages improves growth performance in adults. • Dietary estradiol in snakeskin gourami fry improves growth throughout adulthood. • Estradiol treatment in the fry modulates physiological parameters in adults. • Fast-growing females may contribute to intensive snakeskin gourami farming. In snakeskin gourami (Trichopodus pectoralis), females are generally larger than males, and estradiol-17β (E2)-sex reversal to produce female monosex has gained interest in this species. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of E2-induced sex reversal on growth, physiological and immune parameters, and gonadal gene expression in adult snakeskin gourami. Fry (7 days posthatching) were divided into different experimental groups based on the dose of E2: control (no E2 (0 mg kg
−1 ) supplementation), E2-100 (100 mg kg−1 ), E2-200 (200 mg kg−1 ), and E2-300 (300 mg kg−1 ), fed with the E2 doses for 90 d and cultured for 11 months (adult stage). The findings revealed that E2 supplementation produced 88.89–100% of female population. After 11 months of culture, the effects of sexual dimorphism on the growth performance of the E2-100 group were not significant compared to that on the growth performance of the control male and female groups; however, it improved significantly in the E2-200 and E2-300 groups (P < 0.05). E2 elevated the CP and fat contents in body in E2-200 and E2-300 groups (P < 0.05) compared to that in the control group. No sex differences in blood metabolites, haematological values, or immune parameters were identified. Nevertheless, E2-200 and E2-300 groups showed increased blood glucose, triglyceride, haemoglobin, and total immunoglobulin (P < 0.05) compared to control male fish. In addition, all concentrations of E2 increased alternative complement 50 (P < 0.05). Several genes, including bHLH , cyp19a1 , daz , deadend , esrb , esrrg, gnrhr, gpa, gsg1l, hsd17β, mospd1, nanos2, p53, piwi2, rerg, rps6ka, tgfb , and vgr, showed differential expression between testis and ovary in control female and E2-treated groups. The expression patterns of the genes were similar in the ovary of the control female and E2-200-treated fish. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that a feminisation duration of 7–97 days and two doses of E2 at 200 or 300 mg kg−1 successfully produced all-female stocks in snakeskin gourami. Furthermore, the findings showed that E2-treated females were maintained throughout adulthood and exhibited several superior characteristics to male fish. Together with the information generated on differentially expressed sex-related genes, these findings could enable the culturing of faster-growing sex to increase productivity and contribute to the development of intensive snakeskin gourami farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. The memory impairment by hypothyroidism in mice is dependent on time-of-day and sex.
- Author
-
Barros, Carolina Fonseca de, Guarnieri, Leonardo de Oliveira, Mansk, Lara Monteiro Zanetti, Secio-Silva, Ayla, Emrich, Felipe, Ferreira, Maíza, Silva, Walison Nunes da, Peliciari-Garcia, Rodrigo Antonio, Pereira, Grace Schenatto, and Bargi-Souza, Paula
- Subjects
- *
MNEMONICS , *MEMORY disorders , *RECOGNITION (Psychology) , *HYPOTHYROIDISM , *THYROID diseases , *BRAIN waves - Abstract
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine-metabolic disorder, and as such it compromises a wide range of physiological functions. Memory deficits and, the most recently described, circadian rhythm disruption are among the impairments caused by thyroid dysfunctions. However, although highly likely, there is no evidence connecting these two effects of hypothyroidism. Here, we hypothesized the time-of-day interferes with the memory deficit caused by hypothyroidism. C57BL/6 J mice from both sexes were subjected to novel object recognition (NOR) task during the rest and active phases, corresponding to ZT 2–4 and 14–16, respectively (ZT: Zeitgeber time; ZT 0: lights on at 07:00 am). First, we showed that neither sex nor ZT altered object recognition memory (ORM) in euthyroid mice. Next, animals were divided into control (euthyroid) and hypothyroid [induced with methimazole (0.01%) and perchlorate (0.1%) treatment in the drinking water for 21 days] groups. Under euthyroid conditions, male and female mice recognized the novel object regardless of the time-of-day. However, hypothyroidism impaired ORM at rest phase (ZT 2–4) in both sexes. Surprisingly, in the active phase (ZT 14–16), the hypothyroid males performed the NOR, though a longer time to execute the task was required. In contrast, female hypothyroid mice showed a greater impairment in ORM. Our results suggest that hypothyroidism may disrupt the circadian rhythm in brain areas related to mnemonic processes since in euthyroid condition ORM is not affected by the time-of-day. Furthermore, our findings in an animal model indicate a pronounced deleterious effect of hypothyroidism in women. • Euthyroid mice show a time-independent performance for the NOR test. • Hypothyroidism reduces mice locomotion in a time-independent manner. • Hypothyroidism has a deeper impact on object recognition memory of the female mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Immunological impact of the CD71+ RBCs: A potential immune mediator in transfusion.
- Author
-
Li, Wenhui and Acker, Jason P.
- Subjects
- *
ANTIGEN presenting cells , *RETICULOCYTES , *ERYTHROCYTES , *T cells , *BLOOD donors - Abstract
Donor - recipient sex - mismatched transfusion is associated with increased mortality. The mechanisms for this are not clear, but it may relate to transfusion-related immunomodulation. Recently, CD71+ erythroid cells (CECs), including reticulocytes (CD71+ RBCs) and erythroblasts, have been identified as potent immunoregulatory cells. The proportion of CD71+ RBCs in the peripheral blood is sufficient to play a potential immunomodulatory role. Differences in the quantity of CD71+ RBCs are dependent on blood donor sex. The total number of CD71+ RBCs in red cell concentrates is also affected by blood manufacturing methods, and storage duration. As a component of the total CECs, CD71+ RBCs can affect innate and adaptive immune cells. Phagocytosed CECs directly reduce TNF- α production from macrophages. CECs can also suppress the production of TNF- α production from antigen presenting cells. Moreover, CECs can suppress T cell proliferation thorough immune mediation and / or direct cell-to-cell interactions. Different in their biophysical features compared to mature RBCs, blood donor CD71+ RBCs may be preferential targets for the macrophages. This report summarizes the currently literature supporting an important role for CD71+ RBCs in adverse transfusion reactions including immune mediation and sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Enhanced mitotic arrest and chromosome resolution for cytogenetic analysis in the eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki.
- Author
-
Mousavi, Seyed Ehsan, Grützner, Frank, and Patil, Jawahar G.
- Subjects
- *
PLANT chromosomes , *CHROMOSOMES , *SEXUAL dimorphism , *SACCHAROMYCES cerevisiae , *ARREST , *BODY weight , *ETHIDIUM - Abstract
Maximising the number of cells arrested at metaphase and their resolution is fundamentally important for molecular cytogenetic investigations, particularly in fish, which typically yield low mitotic index and have highly condensed chromosomes. To overcome these limitations, fish were injected with a mitotic stimulator (the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to improve the mitotic index, and the intercalating agent ethidium bromide to produce elongated chromosomes. Specifically, adults were injected with activated yeast and then Colcemid (0.025 µg/µl solution, 10 µl per 1 g of body weight) at 24–96 h post yeast injections, followed by chromosome preparations from multiple tissues. Results showed that gill tissue had the highest number of dividing cells at 72 h post yeast exposure with no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the sexes. Nonetheless, sex-specific differences in the mitotic index were observed in spleen, kidney, and liver, which may be attributed to sex-specific differences in immune responses. For elongation of mitotic chromosomes, individuals (both sexes) were first injected with activated yeast and after 48 h with ethidium bromide (2 or 4 µg/ml) and Colcemid (0.05 µg/µl solution, 10 µl per 1 g of body weight). Following which, animals were sampled at three time points (1, 4 and 8 h) for chromosome preparations. The results show that the optimum elongation of metaphase chromosomes of males and females was achieved by using 2 µg/ml and 4 µg/ml, respectively, for 1 h. Interestingly, the average mitotic chromosome length (μm) of males and females post-ethidium bromide exposure was significantly different (p < 0.05) for both concentrations, except at 1 h exposure for 2 µg/ml EtBr. Such differences can be attributed to overall chromosomal condensation differences between sexes. Regardless, the increased mitotic index and chromosome resolution could benefit cytogenetic studies in other fish species. • The use of yeast and ethidium bromide boosts mitotic index and chromosome resolution for cytogenetic analysis. • The sex-specific mitotic indexsuggests sexual dimorphisms in immunological responses from haemopoietic organs in G. holbrooki. • Sexual dimorphism in chromosome elongation indicates differences in their genetic content and/or epigenetic modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Latexin regulates sex dimorphism in hematopoiesis via gender-specific differential expression of microRNA 98-3p and thrombospondin 1.
- Author
-
Cui, Xiaojing, Zhang, Cuiping, Wang, Fang, Zhao, Xinghui, Wang, Shuxia, Liu, Jinpeng, He, Daheng, Wang, Chi, Yang, Feng-Chun, Tong, Sheng, and Liang, Ying
- Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to self-renew and differentiate to all blood cell types. HSCs and their differentiated progeny show sex/gender differences. The fundamental mechanisms remain largely unexplored. We previously reported that latexin (Lxn) deletion increased HSC survival and repopulation capacity in female mice. Here, we find no differences in HSC function and hematopoiesis in Lxn knockout (Lxn
−/− ) male mice under physiologic and myelosuppressive conditions. We further find that Thbs1 , a downstream target gene of Lxn in female HSCs, is repressed in male HSCs. Male-specific high expression of microRNA 98-3p (miR98-3p) contributes to Thbs1 suppression in male HSCs, thus abrogating the functional effect of Lxn in male HSCs and hematopoiesis. These findings uncover a regulatory mechanism involving a sex-chromosome-related microRNA and its differential control of Lxn-Thbs1 signaling in hematopoiesis and shed light on the process underlying sex dimorphism in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. [Display omitted] • Latexin deletion does not have functional effects on HSCs and hematopoiesis in male mice • Male-specific suppression of Thbs1 underlies latexin-mediated hematopoiesis sex dimorphism • Male-specific high expression of microRNA98-3p leads to Thbs1 downregulation in male HSCs • Thbs1 reduction eliminates latexin's functional action on male HSCs and hematopoiesis In both normal and pathological conditions, blood-forming stem cell activity and the blood system exhibit gender differences. Cui et al. discover that the latexin/microRNA-Thbs1 signaling pathway contributes to such differences between males and females and is responsible for hematopoiesis sex dimorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Female-biased sex difference in vasotocin-immunoreactive neural structures in the developing quail brain.
- Author
-
Aste, Nicoletta, Yoshioka, Naoki, Sakamoto, Emiko, and Saito, Noboru
- Subjects
- *
NEURAL development , *VASOTOCIN , *QUAILS , *SEXUAL dimorphism , *PHYSIOLOGY ,SEX differences (Biology) - Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis pars medialis (BSTM), medial preoptic nucleus (POM), and lateral septal region (LS) exhibit more vasotocin-immunoreactive (VT-ir) neural structures in male than in female adult quail. VT-ir cells and fibers in these regions are sensitive to gonadal steroids only in males. The insensitivity of adult female VT-ir neural structures to sex steroids is attributed to estradiol exposure during a critical period in embryonic life. Although the VT-ir system has been intensively examined in adult quail, information is limited in embryos and juveniles. Therefore, we herein investigated the development of VT-immunoreactive neural structures from embryonic day (E) 9 to adulthood with a particular focus on the BSTM, POM and LS of both sexes. VT-ir neural structures were more evident in female than in male embryos from E9 (BSTM and POM) and E11 (LS). This sex difference disappeared between E15 and post-hatch day 1 in the BSTM and POM, and during the first week of life in the LS. Male-biased sex differences in VT-ir structures appeared at puberty. Female-biased sexual dimorphism in the density of the VT-ir structures of BSTM was reflected by the stronger expression of VT mRNA in females than in males. However, the density of VT mRNA somata was comparable in the two sexes. The exposure of male embryos to estradiol resulted in the feminization of VT-ir neural structures in the BSTM, but not in the POM or LS at E11. Collectively, these results suggest that sex differences in VT-ir neural structures changes drastically throughout quail life. In embryos, endogenous estradiol may stimulate the expression of VT in females, resulting in a robust sex difference in VT-ir cells and fibers in favor of this sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. The central chemosensitivity is not altered by cerebral erythropoietin.
- Author
-
Ballot, Orlane, Laouafa, Sofien, Elliot-Portal, Elizabeth, Tam, Rose, Voituron, Nicolas, Joseph, Vincent, and Soliz, Jorge
- Subjects
- *
MENTAL depression , *CONGENITAL disorders , *CHEMORECEPTORS , *ERYTHROPOIETIN , *BRAIN stimulation , *STIMULANTS - Abstract
The stimulation of central chemoreceptors by CO 2 is considered essential for breathing. The supporting evidence include the fact that central apnea in neonates correlates with immaturity of the CO 2 -sensing mechanism, and that congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is characterized by the absence of a ventilatory response to elevated PCO 2 . We reported previously that cerebral erythropoietin (Epo) is a potent respiratory stimulant upon normoxia and hypoxia. The injection of soluble Epo receptor (sEpoR; the natural EpoR competitor to bind Epo) via the cisterna magna (ICI: intra-cisternal injection) decreases basal ventilation in adult and newborn mice. Moreover, sEpoR induces respiratory depression in adult and newborn mice exposed to hypoxia. In this study we tested the hypothesis that endogenous brain Epo also modulates the respiratory stimulation induced by the activation of central CO 2 chemoreceptors. Adult and newborn male and female mice received an injection of sEpoR or vehicle via the cisterna magna. Twenty-four hours later basal minute ventilation and the ventilatory response to hypercapnia (5% CO 2 ) were evaluated by plethysmography. Our results did not show a difference in the hypercapnic response between sEpoR and vehicle-injected male or female mice at postnatal or adult ages. We concluded that endogenous brain Epo does not contribute to modulating the PCO 2 -mediated central activation of breathing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Sexual dimorphism of the mandible in a contemporary Chinese Han population.
- Author
-
Dong, Hongmei, Deng, Mohong, Wang, WenPeng, Zhang, Ji, Mu, Jiao, and Zhu, Guanghui
- Subjects
- *
SEXUAL dimorphism , *MANDIBLE , *CHINESE people , *FORENSIC anthropology , *CONE beam computed tomography , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *DISCRIMINANT analysis , *UNIVARIATE analysis , *COMPUTED tomography , *CLINICAL pathology , *ETHNIC groups , *THREE-dimensional imaging , *ANATOMY - Abstract
A present limitation of forensic anthropology practice in China is the lack of population-specific criteria on contemporary human skeletons. In this study, a sample of 203 maxillofacial Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, including 96 male and 107 female cases (20-65 years old), was analyzed to explore mandible sexual dimorphism in a population of contemporary adult Han Chinese to investigate the potential use of the mandible as sex indicator. A three-dimensional image from mandible CBCT scans was reconstructed using the SimPlant Pro 11.40 software. Nine linear and two angular parameters were measured. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) and logistic regression analysis (LRA) were used to develop the mathematics models for sex determination. All of the linear measurements studied and one angular measurement were found to be sexually dimorphic, with the maximum mandibular length and bi-condylar breadth being the most dimorphic by univariate DFA and LRA respectively. The cross-validated sex allocation accuracies on multivariate were ranged from 84.2% (direct DFA), 83.5% (direct LRA), 83.3% (stepwise DFA) to 80.5% (stepwise LRA). In general, multivariate DFA yielded a higher accuracy and LRA obtained a lower sex bias, and therefore both DFA and LRA had their own advantages for sex determination by the mandible in this sample. These results suggest that the mandible expresses sexual dimorphism in the contemporary adult Han Chinese population, indicating an excellent sexual discriminatory ability. Cone beam computed tomography scanning can be used as alternative source for contemporary osteometric techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. The Role of Kisspeptin in the Onset of Puberty and in the Ovulatory Mechanism: A Mini-review.
- Author
-
Cortés, Manuel E., Carrera, Bárbara, Rioseco, Hernán, Pablo del Río, Juan, and Vigil, Pilar
- Subjects
- *
CRITICAL periods (Biology) , *DEVELOPMENTAL psychobiology , *ENDOCRINOLOGISTS , *KISSPEPTIN neurons , *PUBERTY - Abstract
The onset of puberty has been a fascinating topic for reproductive endocrinologists for decades; however, its underlying physiological mechanisms have remained elusive until recently. The discovery and understanding of the effects exerted by the peptide hormone kisspeptin have shed light on this research area. This review is aimed to discuss the functions of kisspeptin, with special focus on its role in the onset of puberty and in the ovulatory mechanism. The points under discussion are (1) the characteristics of kisspeptin and its receptor, (2) the relevance of this hormone and its interaction with leptin in the onset of puberty, (3) the role of kisspeptin in the ovulatory mechanism based on its differential expression at hypothalamic nuclei, which is modulated by sex steroid hormones, and (4) the clinical relevance of kisspeptin and its antagonists in new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of various reproductive pathologies. All of this explains the revolution that kisspeptin has caused among researchers working in the field of gynecological endocrinology and reproductive biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. Testosterone and estradiol differentially affect cell proliferation in the subventricular zone of young adult gonadectomized male and female rats.
- Author
-
Farinetti, A., Tomasi, S., Foglio, B., Ferraris, A., Ponti, G., Gotti, S., Peretto, P., and Panzica, G.C.
- Subjects
- *
TESTOSTERONE , *ESTRADIOL , *CELL proliferation , *CASTRATION , *DEVELOPMENTAL neurobiology , *LABORATORY rats - Abstract
Steroid hormones are important players to regulate adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, but their involvement in the regulation of the same phenomenon in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles is not completely understood. Here, in male rats, we tested the existence of activational effects of testosterone (T) on cell proliferation in the adult SVZ. To this aim, three groups of male rats: castrated, castrated and treated with T, and controls were treated with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and killed after 24 h. The density of BrdU-labeled cells was significantly lower in castrated animals in comparison to the other two groups, thus supporting a direct correlation between SVZ proliferation and levels of circulating T. To clarify whether this effect is purely androgen-dependent, or mediated by the T metabolites, estradiol (E 2 ) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), we evaluated SVZ proliferation in castrated males treated with E 2 , DHT and E 2 + DHT, in comparison to T- and vehicle-treated animals, and sham-operated controls. The stereological analysis demonstrated that E 2 and T, but not DHT, increase proliferation in the SVZ of adult male rats. Quantitative evaluation of cells expressing the endogenous marker of cell proliferation phosphorylated form of Histone H3 (PHH3), or the marker of highly dividing SVZ progenitors Mash1, indicated the effect of T/E 2 is mostly restricted to SVZ proliferating progenitors. The same experimental protocol was repeated on ovariectomized female rats treated with E 2 or T. In this case, no statistically significant difference was found among groups. Overall, our results clearly show that the gonadal hormones T and E 2 represent important mediators of cell proliferation in the adult SVZ. Moreover, we show that such an effect is restricted to males, supporting adult neurogenesis in rats is a process differentially modulated in the two sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Sex dimorphism in the onset of the white adipose tissue insulin sensitivity impairment associated with age.
- Author
-
Amengual-Cladera, Emilia, Lladó, Isabel, Proenza, Ana M., and Gianotti, Magdalena
- Subjects
- *
SEXUAL dimorphism , *WHITE adipose tissue , *INSULIN resistance , *RETROPERITONEUM , *ADIPONECTIN , *CELLULAR signal transduction , *SKELETAL muscle - Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the time-course response of retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (WAT) insulin and adiponectin signaling pathway intermediates in relation to the systemic age-associated impairment of insulin sensitivity in male and female rats. The main markers of the insulin and adiponectin signaling pathways of the retroperitoneal WAT, as well as of the systemic insulin sensitivity profile of 3-, 9- and 18-month old Wistar rats of both sexes were determined. Our results indicate that age leads to a decrease in the insulin sensitivity in both sexes that agrees with the decline in the levels of the WAT insulin signaling pathway intermediates, the increase in the adiposity index and the rise in the serum insulin resistance markers. This is accompanied by a sex-dimorphism that involves a gradual insulin signaling pathway decrease in female rats and an earlier and acute decrease in males and suggests a better insulin responsiveness in female rats at any age group. Our results confirm the idea that in rats, the insulin signaling pathway of WAT is altered at earlier ages than that of skeletal muscle and also provides further evidence of the impairment of the WAT adiponectin signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Unravelling the sex-specific diversity and functions of adrenal gland macrophages.
- Author
-
Dolfi, Bastien, Gallerand, Alexandre, Firulyova, Maria M., Xu, Yingzheng, Merlin, Johanna, Dumont, Adélie, Castiglione, Alexia, Vaillant, Nathalie, Quemener, Sandrine, Gerke, Heidi, Stunault, Marion I., Schrank, Patricia R., Kim, Seung-Hyeon, Zhu, Alisha, Ding, Jie, Gilleron, Jerome, Magnone, Virginie, Barbry, Pascal, Dombrowicz, David, and Duranton, Christophe
- Abstract
Despite the ubiquitous function of macrophages across the body, the diversity, origin, and function of adrenal gland macrophages remain largely unknown. We define the heterogeneity of adrenal gland immune cells using single-cell RNA sequencing and use genetic models to explore the developmental mechanisms yielding macrophage diversity. We define populations of monocyte-derived and embryonically seeded adrenal gland macrophages and identify a female-specific subset with low major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression. In adulthood, monocyte recruitment dominates adrenal gland macrophage maintenance in female mice. Adrenal gland macrophage sub-tissular distribution follows a sex-dimorphic pattern, with MHC class II
low macrophages located at the cortico-medullary junction. Macrophage sex dimorphism depends on the presence of the cortical X-zone. Adrenal gland macrophage depletion results in altered tissue homeostasis, modulated lipid metabolism, and decreased local aldosterone production during stress exposure. Overall, these data reveal the heterogeneity of adrenal gland macrophages and point toward sex-restricted distribution and functions of these cells. [Display omitted] • Adrenal glands contain multiple macrophage populations • Macrophage sex dimorphism depends on the presence of the cortical X zone • Embryonic and monocyte-derived macrophages co-exist in adrenal glands • Adrenal gland macrophage depletion alters tissue lipid metabolism Dolfi et al. uncover the sex-specific heterogeneity of adrenal gland macrophages and their ontogeny, maintenance, tissue distribution, and role in local lipid homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Sex-related structural differences in language areas of the human brain and their implications for intergroup relations in ancestral groups.
- Author
-
Güvendir, Emre
- Subjects
- *
GENDER differences (Psychology) , *PSYCHOLINGUISTICS , *LINGUISTICS research , *INTERGROUP communication , *INTERGROUP relations , *NEUROBIOLOGY - Abstract
Highlights: [•] Sex-related structural differences in the language areas of the brain. [•] Reproductive women were most likely taken as war spoils. [•] Sex differences in the environment likely have major effects on brain biology. [•] Males and females were exposed to different environmental pressure in human history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Is Gender-specific Therapy Necessary for Patients of Hemorrhagic Stroke?
- Author
-
Tsai, Ke-Li, Lin, Chih-Lung, and Hsu, Chin
- Abstract
Stroke has been recognized as a sex dimorphic disease. But a gender-specific therapy has not been taken into consideration in current therapy management of stroke. For understanding of the sex dimorphism with respect to the pathophysiology of stroke and the endogenous protective mechanism, we reviewed the underlying mechanism in which 17β-estradiol (E
2 ) is involved in the sex dimorphism of brain injury after stroke, especially hemorrhagic stroke. Because the elderly female population continues to increase, the severity of hemorrhagic stroke in postmenopausal women is expected to increase. The neuroprotective property of E2 has been reported to contribute to less injury severity after intracerebral hemorrhage in women. Multiple pathways including ERα and GPR30 may transmit the neuroprotection conferred by E2 . Interestingly, ferrous iron accumulation after hemorrhagic stroke induces a high level of autophagic cell death in the caudate nucleus of male rats than that in females. Moreover, suppression of ferrous iron-induced autophagy through an ERα-dependent pathway might participate in the E2 -mediated neuroprotection on the ferrous iron-induced brain injury in female rats. In summary, the development of gender-specific therapeutic strategies for counteracting brain functional deficit after hemorrhagic stroke should be investigated. Better understanding of the downstream molecular mechanism of E2, such as ERα, GPR30, and autophagy, may help develop better therapeutic strategies to improve stroke care in both genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. Buspirone before prenatal stress protects against adverse effects of stress on emotional and inflammatory pain-related behaviors in infant rats: Age and sex differences
- Author
-
Butkevich, Irina P., Mikhailenko, Viktor A., Vershinina, Elena A., Otellin, Vladimir A., and Aloisi, Anna Maria
- Subjects
- *
BUSPIRONE , *PRENATAL depression , *INFLAMMATION , *PSYCHOLOGICAL stress , *PAIN , *SEROTONINERGIC mechanisms , *AGE factors in disease , *SEX factors in disease , *LABORATORY rats - Abstract
Abstract: Prenatal stress strengthens tonic pain and provokes depression. The serotoninergic system is involved in these processes. We recently showed that maternal buspirone, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, protects against the adverse effects of in utero stress on depression and pain in adult rat offspring. Using a similar maternal treatment with buspirone, we focus here on the infant stage, which is important for the correction of prenatal abnormalities. Maternal buspirone before restraint stress during the last week of pregnancy decreased the time of immobility in the forced swim test in the infant offspring. Prenatal stress increased formalin-induced pain in the second part of the time-course of the response to formalin in males of middle infancy but in the first part of the response in males of late infancy. The effect was reversed by maternal buspirone. Pain dominated in males of both middle and late infancy but the time-course of formalin pain in infant females revealed a slower development of the processes. The results show that the time-course of formalin-induced pain in infant rats reacts to prenatal stress in an age-dependent and sexually dimorphic manner. Our finding of opposite influences of prenatal stress and buspirone before prenatal stress on formalin-induced pain during the interphase indicates that functional maturity of the descending serotonergic inhibitory system occurs in late infancy males (11-day-olds), and 5-HT1A receptors participate in this process. The data provide evidence that maternal treatment with buspirone prior to stress during pregnancy alleviates depression-like and tonic pain-related behaviors in the infant offspring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Expression patterns of estrogen receptors in the central auditory system change in prepubertal and aged mice
- Author
-
Charitidi, K., Frisina, R.D., Vasilyeva, O.N., Zhu, X., and Canlon, B.
- Subjects
- *
GENE expression , *ESTROGEN receptors , *AUDITORY pathways , *PUBERTY , *LABORATORY mice , *CENTRAL nervous system , *NEURAL development - Abstract
Abstract: Estrogens are important in the development, maintenance and physiology of the CNS. Several studies have shown their effects on the processing of hearing in both males and females, and these effects, in part, are thought to result from regulation of the transcription of genes via their classical estrogen receptor (ER) pathway. In order to understand the spatiotemporal changes that occur with age, we have studied the expression of ERs in the central auditory pathway in prepubertal and aged CBA mice with immunohistochemistry. In prepubertal mice a clear dichotomy was noted between the expression of ERα and ERβ. ERβ-positive neurons were found in the metencephalon whereas the majority of ERα was found in mesencephalon, diencephalon or the telencephalon. In the aged animals a different pattern of ER expression was found in terms of location and overall intensity. These age-induced changes in the expression pattern were generally not uniform, suggesting that region-specific mechanisms regulate the ERs'' age-related expression. Neither the prepubertal nor the aged animals showed sex differences in any auditory structure. Our results demonstrate different age-dependent spatial and temporal changes in the pattern of expression of ERα and ERβ, suggesting that each ER type may be involved in distinct roles across the central auditory pathway in different periods of maturation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Immunocompetence of the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae): Variation between developmental stages and sexes in populations in China
- Author
-
Shi, Zhang-Hong and Sun, Jiang-Hua
- Subjects
- *
RED turpentine beetle , *INSECT development , *ONTOGENY , *SEXUAL dimorphism in animals , *INSECT populations - Abstract
Abstract: Immune defense imposes fitness costs as well as benefits, so organisms should optimize, not maximize, their immune function through their life cycle. We investigated this issue in the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), which is a pine-killing invasive beetle in China, though it is usually considered as a secondary pest in its native range of North America. We hypothesized that pathogen pressure may affect these beetles differently throughout their life history. We measured the insect''s immunocompetence throughout life, determining encapsulation ability and phenoloxidase activity in larval stages, pupae and adults. Pupae had the highest encapsulation ability, but encapsulation was not different between final instar larvae and adults. Phenoloxidase (PO) activity was highest in final instar larvae and pupae, followed by the second instar larvae and adults. Total phenoloxidase activity increased significantly from the second instar larval stage to pupae, and then decreased in adults. Although the second instar larvae had the lowest phenoloxidase activity, more than 90% of total PO existed in the hemolymph in the form of the active enzyme, as compared with pupae, in which over 60% of PO occurred as a proenzyme. Both active PO and total PO were much higher in females than in males, though no significant differences were detected between the encapsulation ability of male and female adults. This result suggests the existence of a sexual dimorphism of immunocompetence in D. valens adults. Variations in immunocompetence across developmental stages suggest that D. valens adopts diverse investment strategies in immunocompetence during different stages. Potential reasons for variation in immunocompetence among developmental stages and between the sexes of D. valens are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Sexually dimorphic expression of dmrt1 in immature and mature Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)
- Author
-
Johnsen, Hanne, Seppola, Marit, Torgersen, Jacob S., Delghandi, Madjid, and Andersen, Øivind
- Subjects
- *
GENE expression , *SEXUAL dimorphism in animals , *ATLANTIC cod , *TRANSCRIPTION factors , *SPERMATOGENESIS , *GERM cells , *MESSENGER RNA , *GENETIC polymorphisms - Abstract
Abstract: The Doublesex and Mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (Dmrt1) is implicated in testis development in a variety of vertebrates, including teleost fish. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) is a promising cold-water aquaculture species, but early sexual maturation of males in particular is a major problem in today''s cod farming. Molecular studies of dmrt1 were initiated to gain knowledge about the regulation of gonad development for the first time in a species of the superorder Paracanthopterygii. The predicted cod Dmrt1 of 310 amino acids contains a highly conserved DM domain, including six Cys residues probably involved in the formation of a double zinc-finger motif for DNA binding. The tissue expression analysis revealed that dmrt1 is expressed exclusively in the gonads, and the signal was localized in the germ cells in both genders by in situ hybridization. Sexually dimorphic expression of dmrt1 was documented by quantitative PCR with the highest mRNA levels in immature males corresponding to the start of spermatogenesis. Although significantly less expressed in the ovary, Dmrt1 might also play a role in oogenesis. Southern blot analysis revealed several DM domain-containing genes in the cod genome, but no sex-linked polymorphism was shown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Genetic alteration in the dopamine transporter differentially affects male and female nigrostriatal transporter systems
- Author
-
Ji, Jing, Bourque, Mélanie, Di Paolo, Thérèse, and Dluzen, Dean E.
- Subjects
- *
DOPAMINE , *BIOLOGICAL transport , *LABORATORY mice , *TREATMENT of drug addiction , *ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC acid , *PHOSPHATES , *CORPUS striatum , *SEXUAL dimorphism in animals - Abstract
Abstract: Female mice with a heterozygous mutation of their dopamine transporter (+/− DAT) showed relatively robust reductions in striatal DAT specific binding (38–50%), while +/− DAT males showed modest reductions (24–32%). Significant decreases in substantia nigra DAT specific binding (42%) and mRNA (24%) were obtained in +/− DAT females, but not +/− DAT males (19% and 5%, respectively). The effects of this DAT perturbation upon vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) function revealed significantly greater reserpine-evoked DA output from +/+ and +/− DAT female as compared to male mice and the DA output profile differed markedly between +/+ and +/− DAT females, but not males. No changes in VMAT-2 protein or mRNA levels were present among these conditions. On the basis of these data, we propose: (1) a genetic mutation of the DAT does not exert equivalent effects upon the DAT in female and male mice, with females being more affected; (2) an alteration in the DAT may also affect VMAT-2 function; (3) this interaction between DAT and VMAT-2 function is more prevalent in female mice; and (4) the +/− DAT mutation affects VMAT-2 function through an indirect mechanism, that does not involve an alteration in VMAT-2 protein or mRNA. Such DAT/VMAT-2 interactions can be of significance to the gender differences observed in drug addiction and Parkinson''s disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Male-biased sex-ratio distortion caused by Octosporea bayeri, a vertically and horizontally-transmitted parasite of Daphnia magna
- Author
-
Roth, Olivia, Ebert, Dieter, Vizoso, Dita B., Bieger, Annette, and Lass, Sandra
- Subjects
- *
SPERMATOZOA , *DAPHNIA , *DAPHNIIDAE , *ANIMAL morphology - Abstract
Abstract: Female-biased sex-ratio distortion is often observed in hosts infected with vertically-transmitted microsporidian parasites. This bias is assumed to benefit the spread of the parasite, because male offspring usually do not transmit the parasite further. The present study reports on sex-ratio distortion in a host–parasite system with both horizontal and vertical parasite transmission: the microsporidium Octosporea bayeri and its host, the planktonic cladoceran Daphnia magna. In laboratory and field experiments, we found an overall higher proportion of male offspring in infected than in uninfected hosts. In young males, there was no parasite effect on sperm production, but, later in life, infected males produced significantly less sperm than uninfected controls. This shows that infected males are fertile. As males are unlikely to transmit the parasite vertically, an increase in male production could be advantageous to the host during phases of sexual reproduction, because infected mothers may obtain uninfected grandchildren through their sons. Life-table experiments showed that, overall, sons harboured more parasite spores than their sisters, although they reached a smaller body size and died earlier. Male production may thus be beneficial for the parasite when horizontal transmission has a large pay-off as males may contribute more effectively to parasite spread than females. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Migration and differentiation of neural cell lines transplanted into mouse brains
- Author
-
Honda, Shinya, Toda, Kotaro, Tozuka, Yusuke, Yasuzawa, Syohei, Iwabuchi, Kaoru, and Tomooka, Yasuhiro
- Subjects
- *
MATERIAL plasticity , *CELL lines , *BRAIN , *RATS - Abstract
Abstract: In the past few years, the plasticity of the regional specification of the CNS has been widely debated on the results from in utero transplantation. Two different results are reported with this transplantation method. One is that the distribution of transplanted cells is dependent on the donor origin, and the other is that the distribution is independent on the donor cell origin. The present study attempted to examine closely the plasticity of the regional specification by in utero transplantation method with clonal neural cell lines, 2Y-3t and 2Y-5o2b. These lines were established from a cerebellum of an adult p53-deficient mouse. Our results showed that transplanted cells migrated into various regions of the CNS and supported the independent distribution. Moreover, different distribution patterns of transplanted cells were observed between host sexes. Labeled cells were localized around the ventricle of neonatal host brains, where they were undifferentiated. In 2–3 weeks after birth, labeled cells were found in the brain parenchyma and some of them took neuronal morphology. In the rostral migratory stream (RMS), cells with unipolar or bipolar morphology were still undifferentiated. In other regions, labeled cells were often associated with blood vessels; the soma were on the surface of vessels, extending processes or neurites into surrounding brain parenchyma. Time-lapse imaging demonstrated that they were migrating with blood vessels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Contribution of anal scent gland and urinary odorants to mate recognition in the ferret
- Author
-
Cloe, A.L., Woodley, S.K., Waters, P., Zhou, H., and Baum, M.J.
- Subjects
- *
URINARY organs , *FERRET , *OLFACTORY nerve , *PHEROMONES - Abstract
Previous research [J. Neurosci. 21 (2001) 5832–5840] showed that ferrets of both sexes require olfactory signals to identify opposite-sex mating partners at a distance. The present experiments assessed the contributions of anal scent gland and urinary odorants to these preferences. Sexually experienced, ovohysterectomized female and castrated male ferrets were injected daily with estradiol benzoate and testosterone propionate, respectively. When tested in an airtight Y-maze, subjects of both sexes preferred to approach volatile odors emitted from opposite- versus same-sex stimulus ferrets that were anesthetized and placed in the goal boxes, regardless of whether the anal scent glands of stimulus ferrets had been surgically removed or left intact. Subjects of each sex showed an equal preference to approach volatile odors emitted from anesthetized opposite-sex ferrets that were scent-gland intact as opposed to descented. Female subjects preferred to approach volatile anal scent gland odorants, as well as urinary odorants from male, as opposed to female conspecifics. Male subjects preferred to approach volatile anal scents from females versus males; however, males showed no preference for female over male urinary odorants. Our results suggest that anal scent gland odorants are sufficient, but not required, for mate recognition in the ferret. Instead, a combination of body odorants including, but not restricted to, those derived from anal scent gland secretions apparently underlie olfactory sex discrimination and partner preference in this carnivore. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Sexual discrimination with cuticular lipids in Schoettella ununguiculata (Tullberg, 1869) (Collembola: Hypogastruridae)
- Author
-
Porco, David, Deharveng, Louis, and Gers, Charles
- Subjects
- *
CUTICLE , *INSECTS , *LIPIDS , *STEROIDS - Abstract
Summary: The outermost layer of the cuticle, the epicuticle, consists of a complex of lipids. This study compares these cuticular compounds in males versus females of the Collembola species Schoettella ununguiculata. After extraction, lipid eluted was made on a gas chromatograph with capillary column. Fifty-nine compounds were detected. Our analysis was based on the relative proportions of these compounds. Males and females appeared statistically as well-separated, non-overlapping groups. The phylogenetic usefulness and the possible role of these compounds in Collembola, which usually reproduce without direct male–female contact is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2004
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Metabolomics reveals highly regional specificity of cerebral sexual dimorphism in mice.
- Author
-
Chabrun, Floris, Dieu, Xavier, Rousseau, Guillaume, Chupin, Stéphanie, Letournel, Franck, Procaccio, Vincent, Bonneau, Dominique, Lenaers, Guy, Simard, Gilles, Mirebeau-Prunier, Delphine, Chao de la Barca, Juan Manuel, and Reynier, Pascal
- Subjects
- *
SEXUAL dimorphism , *BRAIN stem , *METABOLOMICS , *ANIMAL models in research , *BRAIN mapping - Abstract
• Half of the analyzed metabolites show a sexual dimorphism in the mice brain. • Sexual dimorphism in the brain is highly regional-specific. • Sexual dimorphism affects a wide range of functions and structures in the brain. The development of personalized medicine according to gender calls for the integration of sexual dimorphism in pre-clinical models of diseases. Although sexual dimorphism in the brain of the mouse has been the subject of several behavioral, neuroimaging and experimental studies, very few have characterized the bases of sexual dimorphism in the brain on the omics scale. In particular, physiological variations in metabolomic and lipidomic terms related to gender have not been mapped in the brain. We carried out a metabolomic analysis, targeting 188 metabolites representative of various cellular structures and metabolisms, in three brain regions: frontal cortex, brain stem and cerebellum, in 3-month-old C57BL-6 J male (n = 20) vs. female (n = 20) mice. Our results demonstrate the existence of sexual dimorphism in the whole brain as well as in separate brain regions. Half of the 129 accurately measured metabolites were involved in the sexual dimorphism of the murine brain, but only 8% of those (hydroxyproline, creatinine, hexoses, tryptophan, threonine and lysoPC.a.C18.2) were involved in common in the three cerebral regions, while 71%, including phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, acylcarnitines, amino acids, biogenic amines, and polyamines, were specific to only one region of the brain, underscoring the highly regional specificity of cerebral sexual dimorphism in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Sexual dimorphism of incisors: a study of the Jat Sikhs
- Author
-
Kaur, Sumeet and Chattopadhyay, Prasanta K.
- Subjects
- *
INCISORS , *SEXUAL dimorphism in animals - Abstract
Upper and lower incisors of 400 Jat Sihks (200 of each sex) have been measured for their length and breadth to assess any possible sexual dimorphism. However, the difference between the two sexes has been observed to be insignificant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.