A sex difference in endogenous opioid regulation of the posterior pituitary response to stress in the rat

1986 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Carter ◽  
T. D. M. Williams ◽  
S. L. Lightman
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Endogenous Opioids ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Posterior Pituitary ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Chronic Morphine ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Naloxone Treatment

ABSTRACT The influence of endogenous opioids on the posterior pituitary response to stress was investigated by measuring plasma hormone levels in immobilized male and female rats following either acute naloxone treatment or prolonged morphine administration. Naloxone significantly potentiated the oxytocin and arginine vasopressin (AVP) response to immobilization, but in female rats only. The responses of morphine-treated male rats showed differences compared with vehicle-treated controls, although chronic morphine treatment did not reliably alter the oxytocin or AVP responses to immobilization in males or females. In a further experiment to investigate the role of gonadal hormones in determining the sex difference in responsiveness to naloxone, it was found that acute naloxone treatment significantly potentiated the posterior pituitary response to stress in castrated male rats. These results extend previous studies showing a sex difference in stress-induced secretion of posterior pituitary hormones, providing evidence of a sexual dimorphism in the endogenous opioid regulation of this response which is partly determined by circulating gonadal hormones. J. Endocr. (1986) 111, 239–244

scholarly journals Sex Difference in Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Expression: Influence of Pituitary and Gonadal Hormones

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Jalouli ◽  
Linda Carlsson ◽  
Caroline Améen ◽  
Daniel Lindén ◽  
Anna Ljungberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Gh Treatment ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Secretory Pattern

Abstract Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α is a nuclear receptor that is mainly expressed in tissues with a high degree of fatty acid oxidation such as liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Unsaturated fatty acids, their derivatives, and fibrates activate PPARα. Male rats are more responsive to fibrates than female rats. We therefore wanted to investigate if there is a sex difference in PPARα expression. Male rats had higher levels of hepatic PPARα mRNA and protein than female rats. Fasting increased hepatic PPARα mRNA levels to a similar degree in both sexes. Gonadectomy of male rats decreased PPARα mRNA expression to similar levels as in intact and gonadectomized female rats. Hypophysectomy increased hepatic PPARα mRNA and protein levels. The increase in PPARα mRNA after hypophysectomy was more pronounced in females than in males. GH treatment decreased PPARα mRNA and protein levels, but the sex-differentiated secretory pattern of GH does not determine the sex-differentiated expression of PPARα. The expression of PPARα mRNA in heart or soleus muscle was not influenced by gender, gonadectomy, hypophysectomy, or GH treatment. In summary, pituitary-dependent hormones specifically regulate hepatic PPARα expression. Sex hormones regulate the sex difference in hepatic PPARα levels, but not via the sexually dimorphic GH secretory pattern.

scholarly journals Risk-based Decision Making in Rats: Modulation by Sex and Amphetamine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dannia Islas-Preciado ◽  
Steven R. Wainwright ◽  
Julia Sniegocki ◽  
Stephane E. Lieblich ◽  
Shunya Yagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Risky Choice ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Risky Decision Making ◽  
Risky Decision ◽  
17Β Estradiol ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractDecision-making is a complex process essential to daily adaptation in many species. Risk is an inherent aspect of decision-making and it is influenced by gonadal hormones. Testosterone and 17β-estradiol may modulate decision making and impact the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway. Here, we explored sex differences, the effect of gonadal hormones and the dopamine agonist amphetamine on risk-based decision making. Intact or gonadectomised (GDX) male and female rats underwent to a probabilistic discounting task. High and low doses of testosterone propionate (1.0 or 0.2 mg) and 17β-estradiol benzoate (0.3 μg) were administered to assess acute effects on risk-based decision making. After 3-days of washout period, intact and GDX rats received high or low (0.5 or 0.125 mg/kg) doses of amphetamine and re-tested in the probabilistic discounting task. Under baseline conditions, males made more risky choices during probability discounting compared to female rats, particularly in the lower probability blocks, but GDX did not influence risky choice. The high, but not the low dose, of testosterone modestly reduced risky decision making in GDX male rats. Conversely, 17β-estradiol had no significant effect on risky choice regardless of GDX status in either sex. Lastly, a higher dose of amphetamine increased risky decision making in both intact males and females, but had no effect in GDX rats. These findings demonstrated sex differences in risk-based decision making, with males showing a stronger bias towards larger, uncertain rewards. GDX status influenced the effects of amphetamine, suggesting different dopaminergic regulation in risk-based choices among males and females.

Sex Differences in Cholinergic Analgesia I 

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 1447-1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Chiari ◽  
Joseph R. Tobin ◽  
Hui-Lin Pan ◽  
David D. Hood ◽  
James C. Eisenach
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
Intrathecal Administration ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Muscarinic Agonist ◽  
Noxious Heat ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Adrenergic Antagonist ◽  
Cholinergic Agents ◽  
Dose Dependent

Background Cholinergic agents produce analgesia after systemic and intrathecal administration. A retrospective review showed that intrathecal neostigmine was more potent in women than in men, suggesting a sex difference in this response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such a sex difference exists in normal rats and to examine the pharmacologic mechanisms that underlie this difference. Methods Male and female rats with indwelling intrathecal catheters received injections of neostigmine, bethanechol (muscarinic agonist), or RJR-2403 (neuronal nicotinic agonist) alone or with atropine (muscarinic antagonist), mecamylamine (nicotinic antagonist), or phentolamine alpha-adrenergic antagonist) with antinociception determined to a noxious heat stimulus to the hind paw. Time versus subcutaneous paw temperature relationships were defined for males and females. Results Neostigmine produced dose-dependent antinociception with five times greater potency in female than in male rats. Neostigmine-induced antinociception was reversed in male rats by atropine and unaffected by mecamylamine, whereas it was partially reduced by each antagonist alone in females and completely reversed after injection of both. RJR-2403 was more potent in females than in males, whereas there was no sex difference to bethanechol. Phentolamine partially reversed antinociception from RJR-2403 in females. Paw temperature increased more rapidly in females than in males for the same lamp intensity. Conclusions These data demonstrate a large sex difference in antinociception to intrathecal neostigmine that is primarily the result of a nicotinic component in females. Phentolamine reversal suggests that part of this nicotinic component may rely on spinal norepinephrine release. A better understanding of this sex difference could lead to development of novel pain therapy for women.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EXCRETION OF A FAT-MOBILIZING SUBSTANCE IN THE URINE OF RATS

1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Beaton ◽  
A. J. Szlavko ◽  
J. A. F. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Diabetic Rat ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Factors Influencing

The effect of various factors on excretion of a lipid-mobilizing activity in FMS IA (anorexigenic) and in FMS IB (fat-mobilizing) by the fasting rat has been investigated. During fasting, the greatest excretion of such activity in FMS IA and FMS IB occurred in the first 24 hours and diminished thereafter up to 72 hours; and the specific activity of FMS IB was greatest in the first 24 hours whereas that of FMS IA was constant throughout. The hypothalamicobese rat excretes FMS IA and FMS IB in greater than normal amounts. The alloxan-diabetic rat excretes less total activity of FMS IA and IB than do control animals. Young male rats excrete greater amounts of FMS IB, but not of FMS IA, than do adult rats, the greatest excretion per 100 g body weight being observed at approximately 37 days of age. At 27 days of age (prepuberty), male rats excreted a greater total activity of FMS IB but not of FMS IA than did female rats. At 90 days of age (post-puberty), there was no apparent sex difference in the amount of total activity of FMS IB excreted per rat, but when expressed per 100 g body weight, females excreted more FMS IB than did males.

Effects on growth and body composition of androgen deprivation by castration or autoimmunization to LH-releasing hormone in the male rat under conditions of controlled food intake

1986 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Fletcher ◽  
G. E. Lobley ◽  
A. Connell
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Energy Retention ◽  
Lh Releasing Hormone ◽  
Testicular Steroids ◽  
Intact Rats

ABSTRACT The effects of endogenous gonadal hormones on the regulation of body composition and energy retention have been investigated under conditions of controlled food intake. Male and female rats were fed the same amount from weaning to 82 days of age. The carcases of males contained more protein, less lipid and yielded more ash than females, but they had the same amount of total energy in their carcases as females. In a second experiment, male rats were sham-operated or castrated at 19 days and then fed equal amounts from weaning. At 40 days, intact and castrated rats did not differ in total carcase energy content nor in carcase composition. At 82 days the carcases of intact rats had more protein but had retained the same amount of energy as castrated rats. By 131 days, the difference in protein content was larger and intact rats had less carcase lipid, less carcase energy and gave less ash than castrated rats. At the same age and with a similar food intake, the differences in carcase composition between intact males and females were considerably larger than between intact and castrated males. In a third experiment, male rats were sham-operated or castrated at 1 day post partum and fed the same amount as in the second experiment from weaning to 82 days. Both sham-castrated and castrated rats grew less well than rats operated on at 19 days. The differences in carcase composition between intact and castrated rats were in the same direction but of greater magnitude than in rats operated at the later age. In a fourth experiment the effects on body compositon and energy retention of sham-operation, castration or immunization to LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) at weaning were compared in male rats fed the same amount from weaning to 131 days. Intact rats retained less carcase energy, less lipid and produced less ash than castrated and LHRH-immunized animals. Castrated and LHRH-immunized rats did not differ in carcase composition or amount of energy retained. It is concluded that (1) endogenous sex steroids affect growth and carcase composition independently of food intake, (2) the characteristic carcase composition of the female rat is largely due to the presence of ovarian steroids rather than lack of testicular steroids, (3) in the absence of increased food intake the effects of testicular steroids upon growth and energy expenditure are small but similar to those found in animals with free access to food, (4) the long-terms effects of perinatal exposure to testicular steroids upon growth and carcase composition are not only a consequence of changed food intake and (5) surgical castration and functional castration, induced by LHRH auto-immunization, produce the same effects on carcase composition. J. Endocr. (1986) 110, 97–102

Sex differences in behavioural androgen sensitivity: possible role of androgen metabolism

1984 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mode ◽  
J.-Å. Gustafsson ◽  
P. Södersten ◽  
P. Eneroth
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Behavioural Response ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Androgen Metabolism ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
Androgen Sensitivity ◽  
Masculine Sexual Behaviour

ABSTRACT Masculine sexual behaviour was induced in castrated sexually inactive but experienced male rats by testosterone-filled constant-release implants or daily injections of the synthetic androgen 17β-hydroxy-17α-methyl-estra-4,9,11-triene-3-one (methyltrienolone, R 1881), which resists metabolism by target organs. Feminization of the hepatic androgen metabolism by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipumps, which delivered a constant amount of human GH, did not affect the behavioural response of castrated rats to testosterone. Testosterone implants were only minimally effective in inducing male behaviour in ovariectomized female rats, but R 1881 was as effective in stimulating male behaviour in females as in males. Testosterone-treated but not R 1881-treated females showed pronounced female sexual behaviour in response to progesterone treatment despite the absence of measureable amounts of oestradiol-17β in peripheral blood. The results provide evidence that masculine sexual behaviour can be activated by an androgen in the absence of oestrogenic stimulation and suggest that the sex difference in the behavioural response to testosterone may be due to a sex difference in the metabolism of androgens by the brain. J. Endocr. (1984) 100, 245–248

scholarly journals Gender Differences in the Effect of Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure and Challenge Dose of Other Drugs on Behavior of Adult Rats

2013 ◽  
pp. S99-S108 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. ŠLAMBEROVÁ ◽  
E. MACÚCHOVÁ ◽  
K. NOHEJLOVÁ-DEYKUN ◽  
B. SCHUTOVÁ ◽  
L. HRUBÁ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Prenatally Exposed ◽  
Challenge Dose ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats

The aim of the present study was to compare the response to acute application of several drugs in adult male and female rats prenatally exposed to methamphetamine (MA). Spontaneous locomotor activity and exploratory behavior of adult male and female rats prenatally exposed to MA (5 mg/kg) or saline were tested in a Laboras apparatus (Metris B.V., Netherlands) for 1 h. Challenge dose of the examined drug [amphetamine – 5 mg/kg; cocaine – 5mg/kg; MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) – 5 mg/kg; morphine – 5 mg/kg; THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) – 2 mg/kg] or saline was injected prior to testing. Our data demonstrate that prenatal MA exposure did not affect behavior in male rats with cocaine or morphine treatment, but increased locomotion and exploration in females. Application of amphetamine and MDMA in adulthood increased activity in both sexes, while cocaine and THC only in female rats. Morphine, on the other hand, decreased the activity in the Laboras test in both sexes. As far as sex and estrous cycle is concerned, the present study shows that males were generally less active than females and also females in proestrus-estrus phase of the estrous cycle were more active than females in diestrus. In conclusion, the present study shows that the prenatal MA exposure does not induce general sensitization but affects the sensitivity to drugs dependently to mechanism of drug action and with respect to gonadal hormones.

scholarly journals Sex Difference in Plasma Deoxyribonuclease Activity in Rats

2021 ◽  
pp. 913-920
Author(s):  
Ľ Janovičová ◽  
B. Gromová ◽  
D. Drobná ◽  
B. Konečná ◽  
E. Renczés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Dnase Activity ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
Diffusion Assay ◽  
Deoxyribonuclease Activity

Extracellular DNA (ecDNA) activates immune cells and is involved in the pathogenesis of diseases associated with inflammation such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic syndrome. DNA can be cleaved by deoxyribonucleases (DNases), some of which are secreted out of cells. The aim of this experiment was to describe plasma DNase activity in relation to extracellular DNA in adult rats, to analyse potential sex differences and to prove whether they are related to endogenous testosterone. Adult Lewis rats (n=28) of both sexes were included in the experiment. Male rats were gonadectomized or sham-operated and compared to intact female rats. Plasma ecDNA and DNase activity were measured using fluorometry and single radial enzyme diffusion assay, respectively. Concentrations of nuclear ecDNA and mitochondrial ecDNA were determined using real-time PCR. Females had 60% higher plasma DNase activity than males (p=0.03). Gonadectomy did not affect plasma DNase in males. Neither the concentration of total ecDNA, nor nuclear or mitochondrial DNA in plasma differed between the groups. No significant correlations between DNase and ecDNA were found. From previous studies on mice, it was expected, that male rats will have higher DNase activity. In contrast, our study in rats showed the opposite sex difference. This sex difference seems not to be caused by endogenous testosterone. Interestingly, no sex differences were observed in plasma ecDNA suggesting a complex or missing association between plasma ecDNA and DNase. The observed sex difference in plasma DNase should be taken into account in animal models of ecDNA-associated diseases.

scholarly journals Thyroid function and aging: gender-related differences

2001 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
VM da Costa ◽  
DG Moreira ◽  
D Rosenthal
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Gland ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Type I ◽  
Iodothyronine Deiodinase ◽  
Thyroid Gland Function ◽  
Gland Function ◽  
Rat Thyroid

The effects of aging on human or animal thyroid function are still not well defined. We evaluated some aspects of thyroid function during aging using an animal model (young and old Dutch-Miranda rats). In old rats of both genders, serum thyroxine (T4) decreased but serum thyrotrophin (TSH) remained unaltered, suggesting a disturbance in the pituitary-thyroid feedback mechanism during aging. Serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) only decreased in old males, possibly because female rats are almost twice as efficient in hepatic T4 to T3 deiodination. Thyroidal T4-5'-deiodinase activity did not change much during aging, although it decreased slightly in males. Thyroidal iodothyronine-deiodinase type I mRNA expression but not total thyroidal enzymatic activity were higher in female than in male rats. Thus, ovarian/testicular hormones may modulate the expression and/or the activity of hepatic and thyroidal type I iodothyronine-deiodinase. Thyroperoxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) expression were higher in young male rats than in females. In males, TPO and Tg gene expression decreased with aging, suggesting that androgens might increase their expression. Our results showed that aging induces real changes in rat thyroid gland function and regulation, affecting at least pituitary, thyroid and liver functions. Furthermore, some of these changes were gender related, indicating that gonadal hormones may modulate thyroid gland function and regulation.

Sex Differences in Cholinergic Analgesia II 

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 1455-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Lavand'homme ◽  
James C. Eisenach
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Muscarinic Agonist ◽  
Intraplantar Injection ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Adrenergic Antagonist ◽  
Cholinergic Agents

Background Cholinergic agents reduce allodynia after nerve injury in animals and may be useful in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Intrathecally administered neostigmine and neuronal nicotinic agonists are more potent in female than in male rats against acute thermal noxious stimuli. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is also a sex difference in the antiallodynic effects of intrathecal cholinomimetic agents in two models of allodynia and to test their pharmacologic mechanisms. Methods Male and female rats with indwelling intrathecal catheters received injections of neostigmine, bethanechol (muscarinic agonist), RJR-2403 (neuronal nicotinic agonist) alone or with atropine (muscarinic antagonist), mecamylamine (nicotinic antagonist), phentolamine (alpha-adrenergic antagonist), or saline control. The effect of these agents was determined on mechanical allodynia produced by either intraplantar injection of capsaicin or ligation of spinal nerves. Results Neostigmine and RJR-2403 but not bethanechol were more potent in female than in male rats in reducing allodynia after nerve injury, and antagonist studies were also consistent with a nicotinic component to explain this sex difference. Phentolamine did not reverse neostigmine's effect. In contrast, for capsaicin-induced allodynia, neostigmine plus mecamylamine but not neostigmine or RJR-2403 was more potent in female than in male rats. Conclusions These data demonstrate a sex difference of intrathecal neostigmine after nerve injury-induced allodynia similar to that observed in normal animals that received acute noxious thermal stimulation. However, this sex difference is not universal to all pain models because it was not present after intradermal capsaicin injection, nor is its interaction with spinal noradrenergic mechanisms consistent in all models.

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