scholarly journals Estrogen receptors α, β and GPER in the CNS and trigeminal system - molecular and functional aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Warfvinge ◽  
Diana N. Krause ◽  
Aida Maddahi ◽  
Jacob C. A. Edvinsson ◽  
Lars Edvinsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptors ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Trigeminal System ◽  
Cgrp Release ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Trigeminal Neuron ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Detection And Localization

Abstract Background Migraine occurs 2–3 times more often in females than in males and is in many females associated with the onset of menstruation. The steroid hormone, 17β-estradiol (estrogen, E2), exerts its effects by binding and activating several estrogen receptors (ERs). Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has a strong position in migraine pathophysiology, and interaction with CGRP has resulted in several successful drugs for acute and prophylactic treatment of migraine, effective in all age groups and in both sexes. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used for detection and localization of proteins, release of CGRP and PACAP investigated by ELISA and myography/perfusion arteriography was performed on rat and human arterial segments. Results ERα was found throughout the whole brain, and in several migraine related structures. ERβ was mainly found in the hippocampus and the cerebellum. In trigeminal ganglion (TG), ERα was found in the nuclei of neurons; these neurons expressed CGRP or the CGRP receptor in the cytoplasm. G-protein ER (GPER) was observed in the cell membrane and cytoplasm in most TG neurons. We compared TG from males and females, and females expressed more ER receptors. For neuropeptide release, the only observable difference was a baseline CGRP release being higher in the pro-estrous state as compared to estrous state. In the middle cerebral artery (MCA), we observed similar dilatory ER-responses between males and females, except for vasodilatory ERβ which we observed only in female arteries. Conclusion These data reveal significant differences in ER receptor expression between male and female rats. This contrasts to CGRP and PACAP release where we did not observe discernable difference between the sexes. Together, this points to a hypothesis where estrogen could have a modulatory role on the trigeminal neuron function in general rather than on the acute CGRP release mechanisms and vasomotor responses.

scholarly journals Gender differences in doublecortin expression in the dentate gyrus of the Wistar rat during development

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Özlem Tuğçe Çilingir Kaya ◽  
Sercan Doğukan Yıldız ◽  
Nisva Hilal Levent ◽  
Esra Bihter Gürler ◽  
Ümit Süleyman Şehirli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Developmental Process ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Wistar Rat ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Female Wistar Rats ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Males And Females

Objectives: Neurogenesis is the formation process of functional neurons from progenitor cells which continues during lifetime. Alterations in neurogenesis is associated with neurodegenerative disorders (ND). Different mechanisms underlie the ND in males and females which may be related to neurogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the developmental process of neurogenesis in the hippocampus of male and female rats at different ages and shed light on the effect of gender difference on ND. Methods: Brains were obtained from 7, 14, 21 days and 3-month-old male and female Wistar rats following intracardiac perfusion and processed for immunohistochemical and immunoflorescence staining. Doublecortin protein (DCX) was used as a marker of newly-born neuroblasts to determine neurogenesis. Results: DCX immunoreactive (-ir) cells were dispersed throughout the granular and subgranular layers of DG in 7-days-old group in both genders. However, in the 14 and 21 days old groups, DCX-ir cells were observed only in the subgranular zone in the sections labelled with both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunoflourescent (IF) methods. In all age groups, female rats had a tendency to increase in DCX immunoreactivity when compared to that of male Wistar rats. Conclusion: DCX-ir cells may be localized in different parts of DG during development. The number of newly born neurons showed a tendency to increase in female rats in all groups. Further studies are needed to understand the reason for differences in the normal developmental neurogenesis process between two genders.

GONADOTROPHIN PATTERNS IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS:

1968 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Boyd ◽  
Donald C. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Feedback Effects ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Prostate Weight ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Normal Males

ABSTRACT The effects of various doses of testosterone propionate (TP) upon the release of luteinizing hormone (LH or ICSH) from the hypophysis of a gonadectomized male or female rat were compared. Prostate weight in hypophysectomized male parabiotic partners was used to evaluate the quantity of circulating LH. Hypophyseal LH was measured by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion method. Males castrated when 45 days old secreted significantly more LH and had three times the amount of pituitary LH as ovariectomized females. Administration of 25 μg TP daily reduced the amount of LH in the plasma, and increased the amount in the pituitary gland, in both sexes. Treatment with 50 μg caused a further reduction in plasma LH in males, but not in females, while pituitary levels in both were equal to that of their respective controls. LH fell to the same low level in partners of males or females receiving 100 μg TP. When gonadectomized at 39 days, males and females had the same amount of plasma LH, but males had more stored hormone. Pituitary levels were unchanged from controls following treatment with 12.5, 25 or 50 μg TP daily, but plasma values dropped an equal amount in both sexes with the latter two doses. Androgenized males or females, gonadectomized when 39 days old, were very sensitive to the effects of TP and plasma LH was significantly reduced with 12.5 μg daily. Pituitary LH in androgenized males was higher than that of normal males but was reduced to normal by small amounts of TP. The amount of stored LH in androgenized females was not different from that of normal females and it was unchanged by any dose of TP tested. Results are consistent with the conclusion that the male hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis is at least as sensitive as the female axis to the negative feedback effects of TP. Androgenization increases the sensitivity to TP in both males and females.

scholarly journals Stem cell treatment improves post stroke neurological outcomes: a comparative study in male and female rats

2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000834
Author(s):  
Koteswara Rao Nalamolu ◽  
Bharath Chelluboina ◽  
Casimir A Fornal ◽  
Siva Reddy Challa ◽  
David M Pinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Infarct Volume ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Human Umbilical Cord ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females

Background and purposeThe therapeutic potential of different stem cells for ischaemic stroke treatment is intriguing and somewhat controversial. Recent results from our laboratory have demonstrated the potential benefits of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a rodent stroke model. We hypothesised that MSC treatment would effectively promote the recovery of sensory and motor function in both males and females, despite any apparent sex differences in post stroke brain injury.MethodsTransient focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Following the procedure, male and female rats of the untreated group were euthanised 1 day after reperfusion and their brains were used to estimate the resulting infarct volume and tissue swelling. Additional groups of stroke-induced male and female rats were treated with MSC or vehicle and were subsequently subjected to a battery of standard neurological/neurobehavioral tests (Modified Neurological Severity Score assessment, adhesive tape removal, beam walk and rotarod). The tests were administered at regular intervals (at days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14) after reperfusion to determine the time course of neurological and functional recovery after stroke.ResultsThe infarct volume and extent of swelling of the ischaemic brain were similar in males and females. Despite similar pathological stroke lesions, the clinical manifestations of stroke were more pronounced in males than females, as indicated by the neurological scores and other tests. MSC treatment significantly improved the recovery of sensory and motor function in both sexes, and it demonstrated efficacy in both moderate stroke (females) and severe stroke (males).ConclusionsDespite sex differences in the severity of post stroke outcomes, MSC treatment promoted the recovery of sensory and motor function in male and female rats, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment for stroke.

Gonadal steroids effect similar regulation of gonadotrophin subunit mRNA expression in both male and female rats

1992 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Dalkin ◽  
S. J. Paul ◽  
D. J. Haisenleder ◽  
G. A. Ortolano ◽  
M. Yasin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Gnrh Antagonist ◽  
Gonadal Steroids ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Subunit Gene ◽  
Gnrh Secretion ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females

ABSTRACT Gonadal steroids can act both indirectly via gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and directly on the pituitary to regulate gonadotrophin subunit gene expression. Recent studies to assess a possible direct action at the pituitary have shown that testosterone, when given to males in the absence of endogenous GnRH action, selectively increases FSH-β mRNA concentrations. Conversely, in females, oestradiol appears to regulate gonadotrophin subunit mRNAs primarily via GnRH. The present study was designed to determine whether these differing results reflect specific actions of the gonadal steroids themselves or different responses of the pituitary gonadotroph cells in males and females. Rats which had been castrated 7 days earlier were given silicone elastomer implants (s.c.) containing oestradiol (plasma oestradiol 68 ± 4 ng/l) in males or testosterone (plasma testosterone 3·5 ± 0·3 μg/l) in females in the absence or presence of a GnRH antagonist. Seven days later pituitaries were removed and steady-state mRNA concentrations measured by dotblot hybridization. In males, oestradiol reduced LH-β and FSH-β but not α mRNA. The antagonist reduced levels of all three subunit mRNAs in males and the addition of oestradiol had no further effect, suggesting that oestradiol regulates gonadotrophin subunit gene expression in males by suppressing GnRH secretion. In females, testosterone reduced all three subunit mRNAs though FSH-β remained threefold higher than in intact animals. The GnRH antagonist was as effective as testosterone alone and reduced α and LH-β to levels found in intact animals. FSH-β mRNA was partially reduced by antagonist alone in ovariectomized females but the addition of testosterone increased FSH-β twofold versus antagonist alone (as has been observed in males). These findings, together with earlier data, suggest that testosterone increased FSH-β twofold versus antagonist alone (as has been observed in males). These findings, together with earlier data, suggest that testosterone reduces gonadotrophin subunit mRNAs by inhibiting GnRH secretion and also acts directly on the gonadotroph to increase steady-state FSH-β mRNA concentrations in both males and females. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 39–45

Aniline and hexobarbital hydroxylases from rat lung and kidney: neither sex dependent nor inducible with phenobarbital

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 1247-1250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet L. Lister ◽  
Bruce B. Virgo
Keyword(s):  
Microsomal Protein ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Rat Lung ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Aniline Hydroxylase ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Cytochrome P 450 ◽  
Lung And Kidney

The basal activities of aniline hydroxylase (AH), hexobarbital hydroxylase (HH), and ethylmorphine N-demethylase (ED) were measured in the 9000 × g supernatant of kidneys and lungs from male and female rats. No ED activity was detected in any tissue although all tissues N-demethylated three other substrates. The activities of AH and HH were not sex dependent in either kidney or lung. Similarly, pulmonary and renal microsomal protein concentrations were independent of sex. In addition, cytochrome P-450 levels in the kidney were the same in males and females (pulmonary P-450 was not measured). The pulmonary hydroxylases were more active than the renal enzymes in both sexes. In males, phenobarbital (ip, 50 rng∙kg−1∙day−1 for 3 days) failed to induce AH or HH in either kidney or lung; it did not increase the weight or microsomal protein levels of these organs and it also failed to increase renal P-450. Thus, the basal activities of AH and HH in lungs and kidneys are not different in male and female rats and are not increased by phenobarbital.

Effect of long-term undernutrition on male and female rat diaphragm contractility, fatigue, and fiber types

1994 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 1540-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Prezant ◽  
B. Richner ◽  
T. K. Aldrich ◽  
D. E. Valentine ◽  
E. I. Gentry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Fatigue Resistance ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Diaphragm Atrophy

The effects of long-term undernutrition (10 wk) on diaphragm contractility, fatigue, and fiber type proportions were studied in male and female rats. Contractility and fatigue resistance indexes were measured in an in vitro diaphragm costal strip preparation by using direct stimulation at 37 degrees C. Undernutrition allowed for continued growth in males and females but with substantial reductions in weight gain. Relative to control rats of the same sex, final weights were significantly lower in undernourished males (74 +/- 3%) than females (90 +/- 5%), but weight gain was not significantly different between undernourished males (58 +/- 5%) and females (60 +/- 3%). Only in males did undernutrition significantly reduce costal diaphragm weight (to 77 +/- 5% of control). Diaphragm forces, normalized for cross-sectional area, were not significantly different from male or female control values. Fatigue resistance indexes (fatigue/baseline force) were increased at all stimulation frequencies in undernourished males but not in undernourished females. Costal diaphragm atrophy, involving types I and II fibers, occurred in undernourished males but not in undernourished females. In conclusion, despite long-term undernutrition reducing weight gain to similar levels in males and females (relative to control), there was excellent preservation of diaphragm weight, function, and structure in females but, although diaphragm atrophy occurred, there was preserved contractility and increased fatigue resistance in males.

scholarly journals Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging highlights neurovasculature changes following experimental traumatic brain injury in the rat

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Wright ◽  
Jamie N. Mayo ◽  
Mujun Sun ◽  
Terence J. O’Brien ◽  
Sandy R. Shultz
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Cerebrovascular Function ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractNeurovascular injury has been proposed as a universal pathological hallmark of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with molecular markers of angiogenesis and endothelial function associated with injury severity and morbidity. Sex differences in the neurovasculature response post-TBI may contribute to the differences seen in how males and females respond to injury. Steady-state contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SSCE-MRI) can be used to non-invasively assess the neurovasculature and may be a useful tool in understanding and predicting outcomes post-TBI. Here we used SSCE-MRI to investigate the neurovasculature of male and female rats at 48 h after an experimental TBI, and how these changes related to neuromotor function at 1-week post-TBI. In addition to TBI induced changes, we found that female rats had greater vessel density, greater cerebral blood volumes and performed better on a neuromotor task than their male counterparts. These results suggest that acute post-TBI cerebrovascular function is worse in males, and that this may contribute to the greater functional deficits observed post-injury. Furthermore, these results highlight the potential of SSCE-MRI to provide insights into the cerebral microvasculature post-TBI. Future studies, incorporating both males and females, are warranted to investigate the evolution of these changes and the underlying mechanisms.

scholarly journals Fetal Undernutrition Induces Resistance Artery Remodeling and Stiffness in Male and Female Rats Independent of Hypertension

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 424
Author(s):  
Perla Y. Gutiérrez-Arzapalo ◽  
Pilar Rodríguez-Rodríguez ◽  
David Ramiro-Cortijo ◽  
Marta Gil-Ortega ◽  
Beatriz Somoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Blood Pressure Level ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Resistance Artery ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Maternal Undernutrition ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Artery Remodeling ◽  
Tail Cuff

Fetal undernutrition programs hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and resistance artery remodeling may be a contributing factor. We aimed to assess if fetal undernutrition induces resistance artery remodeling and the relationship with hypertension. Sprague–Dawley dams were fed ad libitum (Control) or with 50% of control intake between days 11 and 21 of gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN). In six-month-old male and female offspring we assessed blood pressure (anesthetized and tail-cuff); mesenteric resistance artery (MRA) structure and mechanics (pressure myography), cellular and internal elastic lamina (IEL) organization (confocal microscopy) and plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity (zymography). Systolic blood pressure (SBP, tail-cuff) and plasma MMP activity were assessed in 18-month-old rats. At the age of six months MUN males exhibited significantly higher blood pressure (anesthetized or tail-cuff) and plasma MMP-9 activity, while MUN females did not exhibit significant differences, compared to sex-matched controls. MRA from 6-month-old MUN males and females showed a smaller diameter, reduced adventitial, smooth muscle cell density and IEL fenestra area, and a leftward shift of stress-strain curves. At the age of eighteen months SBP and MMP-9 activity were higher in both MUN males and females, compared to sex-matched controls. These data suggest that fetal undernutrition induces MRA inward eutrophic remodeling and stiffness in both sexes, independent of blood pressure level. Resistance artery structural and mechanical alterations can participate in the development of hypertension in aged females and may contribute to adverse cardiovascular events associated with low birth weight in both sexes.

scholarly journals Drug induction of hepatic glutathione S-transferases in male and female rats*

1975 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Kaplowitz ◽  
J Kuhlekamp ◽  
G Clifton
Keyword(s):  
Female Rats ◽  
Metabolizing Enzymes ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Hepatic Glutathione ◽  
Drug Induction ◽  
Glutathione S Transferases ◽  
Proportional Increase ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Specific Activities

The induction of the glutathione S-transferases by phenobarbital and polycyclic hydrocarbons was studied in male and female rats. Administration of phenobarbital resulted in 60-80% increase in S-aryl and S-aralkyl enzyme specific activities, whereas the S-epoxide and S-alkyl activities were increased by 30-40%. In following the sequence of induction, the former two activities were noted to reach peak activities before an increase in the latter two activities was observed. Both 3-methylcholanthrene and 3,4-benzopyrene were shown toi nduce these four enzymic activities, although without the discrimination between pairs of activities noted with phenobarbital. No change in Km accompanied the increase in Vmax. after induction by drugs, and no change occurred in Ki for sulphobromophthalein inhibition. Significantly lower enzyme specific activities were found for three of the activities studied in female rats but no difference was observed in the S-alkyltransferase activity. However, the proportional increase in the enzymic activities in response to phenobarbital was the same in males and females. These studies demonstrate the drug induction of a group of cytosolic drug-metabolizing enzymes as well as the identification of sex differences in these activities.

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