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.

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.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE CONCENTRATIONS OF GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTORS IN RAT LIVER AND THYMUS

1979 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. ENDRES ◽  
R. J. MILHOLLAND ◽  
F. ROSEN
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats

The effects in rats of adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy, ovariectomy or combinations of these operations on the concentrations of glucocorticoid receptors in the cytosol of liver and thymus were measured. The concentrations of glucocorticoid receptors were lower in cytosols from liver and thymus of female than of male rats. After adrenalectomy, there was a significant increase in the concentrations of receptors measured in the cytoplasm from the liver and thymus of female rats and from the liver of male rats. After adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy, there was no sex difference in the concentrations of glucocorticoid receptors in cytosols of liver or thymus. After ovariectomy, the concentration of receptors in cytosols from the thymus, but not from the liver, increased. Ovariectomized rats responded to adrenalectomy in the same way as intact male rats. The different responses shown by male and female rats to endocrine manipulation probably depend upon associated changes in plasma corticosterone concentrations which are influenced by the ovary. Differences in response between the liver and thymus probably reflect a preferential distribution of corticosterone to the liver rather than to the thymus.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE METABOLISM OF OESTROGENS BY RAT LIVER MICROSOMES

1965 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. JELLINCK ◽  
IRENE LUCIEER
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Enzyme System ◽  
Liver Microsomes ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Hormonal Status ◽  
Rat Liver Microsomes ◽  
Soluble Material

SUMMARY Liver microsomes derived from male rats were shown to convert a higher proportion of [14C]oestrone and [14C]oestradiol to water-soluble products than did similar preparations from female rats. This sex difference became apparent at maturity and could be influenced by castration or treatment with sex hormones. The increased formation of water-soluble material by male rats was accompanied by an increase in the yield of 2-hydroxyoestradiol and other ether-soluble metabolites but no sex difference in oestrogen metabolism was detected in mice or guinea-pigs and the effect was less pronounced with [14C]stilboestrol as substrate. The enzyme system influenced by the hormonal status of the animals was present in the microsomes and showed similarities to the non-specific oxygenases which hydroxylate steroids and a number of drugs.

SEX DIFFERENCES AND HORMONAL CONTROL OF TESTOSTERONE METABOLISM IN RAT PITUITARY AND BRAIN

1973 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
CARL DENEF ◽  
CAREW MAGNUS ◽  
B. S. McEWEN
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Testosterone Metabolism ◽  
Conversion Rates ◽  
Oestradiol Benzoate

SUMMARY The in-vitro conversion of testosterone to 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (5α-dihydrotestosterone, DHT) and 3α, 17β-dihydroxy-5α-androstane (3α-androstanediol, DIOL) in pituitary and slices of brain regions was compared between male and female rats. Intact pituitaries from male rats formed 2·5 times more DHT and 1·5 times more DIOL than those of females. A small sex difference was also detected in the hypothalamus, males again being higher than females. No sex differences could be detected in other brain regions. However, DHT formation in the brain was regionally differentiated with higher conversion rates in hypothalamus than in cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, pineal gland or cerebellum. The highest transformation, however, was found in the mid-brain. Metabolism in the pre-optic area was as low as that in the cortex. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone and DIOL formation in the pituitary increased several-fold after gonadectomy in both sexes and the sex difference disappeared. Little or no increase occurred after thyroidectomy or adrenalectomy. The increase in pituitary DHT formation after gonadectomy could be attenuated or prevented both by treatment with testosterone propionate and with oestradiol benzoate. Replacement therapy, particularly with oestradiol benzoate, gave rise to a sex difference reminiscent of that of normal animals. No significant change in pituitary DHT formation occurred in adult females which had been treated with testosterone propionate on the 4th day of life. The results suggested a close relationship between DHT formation and activity of gonadotrophin secretion, particularly at the level of the pituitary.

scholarly journals 17β-Estradiol Enhances ASIC Activity in Primary Sensory Neurons to Produce Sex Difference in Acidosis-Induced Nociception

Endocrinology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (12) ◽  
pp. 4660-4671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zu-Wei Qu ◽  
Ting-Ting Liu ◽  
Cuixia Ren ◽  
Xiong Gan ◽  
Chun-Yu Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Functional Activity ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Nociceptive Response ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Membrane Excitability ◽  
17Β Estradiol

Sex differences have been reported in a number of pain conditions. Women are more sensitive to most types of painful stimuli than men, and estrogen plays a key role in the sex differences in pain perception. However, it is unclear whether there is a sex difference in acidosis-evoked pain. We report here that both male and female rats exhibit nociceptive behaviors in response to acetic acid, with females being more sensitive than males. Local application of exogenous 17β-estradiol (E2) exacerbated acidosis-evoked nociceptive response in male rats. E2 and estrogen receptor (ER)-α agonist 1,3,5-Tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-propyl-1H-pyrazole, but not ERβ agonist 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile, replacement also reversed attenuation of the acetic acid-induced nociceptive response in ovariectomized females. Moreover, E2 can exert a rapid potentiating effect on the functional activity of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), which mediated the acidosis-induced events. E2 dose dependently increased the amplitude of ASIC currents with a 42.8 ± 1.6 nM of EC50. E2 shifted the concentration-response curve for proton upward with a 50.1% ± 6.2% increase of the maximal current response to proton. E2 potentiated ASIC currents via an ERα and ERK1/2 signaling pathway. E2 also altered acidosis-evoked membrane excitability of dorsal root ganglia neurons and caused a significant increase in the amplitude of the depolarization and the number of spikes induced by acidic stimuli. E2 potentiation of the functional activity of ASICs revealed a peripheral mechanism underlying this sex difference in acetic acid-induced nociception.

INDUCTION OF GOITRE BY PTU OR KClO4 IN MALE AND FEMALE RATS. EFFECT OF GONADECTOMY

1973 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Jolín ◽  
M. J. Tarin ◽  
M. D. Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Iodine Content ◽  
High Plasma ◽  
Disc Electrophoresis ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Tsh Levels

ABSTRACT Male and female rats of varying ages were placad on a low iodine diet (LID) plus KClO4 or 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) or on the same diet supplemented with I (control rats). Goitrogenesis was also induced with LID plus PTU in gonadectomized animals of both sexes. The weight of the control and goitrogen treated animals, and the weight and iodine content of their thyroids were determined, as well as the plasma PBI, TSH, insulin and glucose levels. The pituitary GH-like protein content was assessed by disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. If goitrogenesis was induced in young rats of both sexes starting with rats of the same age, body weight (B.W.) and pituitary growth hormone (GH) content, it was found that both the males and females developed goitres of the same size. On the contrary, when goitrogenesis was induced in adult animals, it was found that male rats, that had larger B.W. and pituitary GH content than age-paired females, developed larger goitres. However, both male and female rats were in a hypothyroid condition of comparable degree as judged by the thyroidal iodine content and the plasma PBI and TSH levels. When all the data on the PTU or KClO4-treated male and female rats of varying age and B.W. were considered together, it was observed that the weights of the thyroids increased proportionally to B.W. However, a difference in the slope of the regression of the thyroid weight over B.W. was found between male and female rats, due to the fact that adult male rats develop larger goitres than female animals. In addition, in the male rats treated with PTU, gonadectomy decreased the B.W., pituitary content of GH-like protein and, concomitantly, the size of the goitre decreased; an opposite effect was induced by ovariectomy on the female animals. However, when goitrogenesis was induced in weight-paired adult rats of both sexes, the male animals still developed larger goitres than the females. Among all the parameters studied here, the only ones which appeared to bear a consistent relationship with the size of the goitres in rats of different sexes, treated with a given goitrogen, were the rate of body growth and the amount of a pituitary GH-like protein found before the onset of the goitrogen treatment. Moreover, though the pituitary content of the GH-like protein decreased as a consequence of goitrogen treatment, it was still somewhat higher in male that in female animals. The present results suggest that GH may somehow be involved in the mechanism by which male and female rats on goitrogens develop goitres of different sizes, despite equally high plasma TSH levels.

scholarly journals Analysis of sex differences in dietary copper-fructose interaction-induced alterations of gut microbial activity in relation to hepatic steatosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Song ◽  
Fang Yuan ◽  
Xiaohong Li ◽  
Xipeng Ma ◽  
Xinmin Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Hepatic Steatosis ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Dietary Copper ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Rrna Sequencing

Abstract Background Inadequate copper intake and increased fructose consumption represent two important nutritional problems in the USA. Dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity and contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study is to determine whether dietary copper-fructose interactions alter gut microbial activity in a sex-differential manner and whether sex differences in gut microbial activity are associated with sex differences in hepatic steatosis. Methods Male and female weanling Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed ad libitum with an AIN-93G purified rodent diet with defined copper content for 8 weeks. The copper content is 6 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg in adequate copper diet (CuA) and marginal copper diet (CuM), respectively. Animals had free access to either deionized water or deionized water containing 10% fructose (F) (w/v) as the only drink during the experiment. Body weight, calorie intake, plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and liver histology as well as liver triglyceride were evaluated. Fecal microbial contents were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequencing. Fecal and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results Male and female rats exhibit similar trends of changes in the body weight gain and calorie intake in response to dietary copper and fructose, with a generally higher level in male rats. Several female rats in the CuAF group developed mild steatosis, while no obvious steatosis was observed in male rats fed with CuAF or CuMF diets. Fecal 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct alterations of the gut microbiome in male and female rats. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) identified sex-specific abundant taxa in different groups. Further, total SCFAs, as well as, butyrate were decreased in a more pronounced manner in female CuMF rats than in male rats. Of note, the decreased SCFAs are concomitant with the reduced SCFA producers, but not correlated to hepatic steatosis. Conclusions Our data demonstrated sex differences in the alterations of gut microbial abundance, activities, and hepatic steatosis in response to dietary copper-fructose interaction in rats. The correlation between sex differences in metabolic phenotypes and alterations of gut microbial activities remains elusive.

scholarly journals Vulnerability factors for mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference in rats—the impact of sex differences, social-conditioning and stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Wronikowska ◽  
Maria Zykubek ◽  
Łukasz Kurach ◽  
Agnieszka Michalak ◽  
Anna Boguszewska-Czubara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Conditioned Place Preference ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Place Preference ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Social Conditioning ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Rationale Mephedrone is a frequently overused drug of abuse that belongs to the group of novel psychoactive substances. Although its mechanism of action, as well as toxic and psychoactive effects, has been widely studied, the role of different factors that could contribute to the increased vulnerability to mephedrone abuse is still poorly understood. Objectives The aim of the presented study was to assess the impact of several factors (sex differences, social-conditioning, and chronic mild unpredictable stress — CMUS) on the liability to mephedrone-induced reward in Wistar rats. Methods The rewarding effects of mephedrone in male and female rats were assessed using the conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure. Furthermore, the impact of social factor and stress was evaluated in male rats using social-CPP and CMUS-dependent CPP, respectively. Results Mephedrone induced classic-CPP in female (10 mg/kg), as well as in male (10 and 20 mg/kg) rats. However, the impact of mephedrone treatment during social-CPP was highly dose-dependent as the rewarding effects of low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg; non-active in classic-CPP) were potentiated when administered during social-conditioning. Interestingly, social-conditioning with a higher dose of 20 mg/kg (that induced classic-CPP) was able to reverse these effects. Finally, CMUS potentiated rewarding effects of a low dose of mephedrone (5 mg/kg) and increased the level of corticosterone in rats’ prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Conclusions Altogether, the presented results give new insight into possible factors underlying the vulnerability to mephedrone abuse and can serve as a basis for further studies assessing mechanisms underlying observed effects.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Escalated Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Altered Gene Expression Associated With Incubation of Methamphetamine Seeking

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 710-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul P Daiwile ◽  
Subramaniam Jayanthi ◽  
Bruce Ladenheim ◽  
Michael T McCoy ◽  
Christie Brannock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Orexin Receptors ◽  
Male And Female Rats

Abstract Background Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is prevalent worldwide. There are reports of sex differences in quantities of drug used and relapses to drug use among individuals with METH use disorder. However, the molecular neurobiology of these potential sex differences remains unknown. Methods We trained rats to self-administer METH (0. 1 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) on an fixed-ratio-1 schedule for 20 days using two 3-hour daily METH sessions separated by 30-minute breaks. At the end of self-administration training, rats underwent tests of cue-induced METH seeking on withdrawal days 3 and 30. Twenty-four hours later, nucleus accumbens was dissected and then used to measure neuropeptide mRNA levels. Results Behavioral results show that male rats increased the number of METH infusions earlier during self-administration training and took more METH than females. Both male and female rats could be further divided into 2 phenotypes labeled high and low takers based on the degree of escalation that they exhibited during the course of the METH self-administration experiment. Both males and females exhibited incubation of METH seeking after 30 days of forced withdrawal. Females had higher basal mRNA levels of dynorphin and hypocretin/orexin receptors than males, whereas males expressed higher vasopressin mRNA levels than females under saline and METH conditions. Unexpectedly, only males showed increased expression of nucleus accumbens dynorphin after METH self-administration. Moreover, there were significant correlations between nucleus accumbens Hcrtr1, Hcrtr2, Crhr2, and Avpr1b mRNA levels and cue-induced METH seeking only in female rats. Conclusion Our results identify some behavioral and molecular differences between male and female rats that had self-administered METH. Sexual dimorphism in responses to METH exposure should be considered when developing potential therapeutic agents against METH use disorder.

scholarly journals Similar levels of emotional contagion in male and female rats

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Han ◽  
Bo Sichterman ◽  
Maria Carrillo ◽  
Valeria Gazzola ◽  
Christian Keysers
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Emotional Contagion ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Danger Detection ◽  
Rats And Mice ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractEmotional contagion, the ability to feel what other individuals feel, is thought to be an important element of social life. In humans, emotional contagion has been shown to be stronger in women than men. Emotional contagion has been shown to exist also in rodents, and a growing number of studies explore the neural basis of emotional contagion in male rats and mice. These studies promise to shed light on the mechanisms that might go astray in psychiatric disorders characterized by dysfunctions of emotional contagion and empathy. Here we explore whether there are sex differences in emotional contagion in rats. We use an established paradigm in which a demonstrator rat receives footshocks while freezing is measured in both the demonstrator and an observer rat, which can hear, smell and see each other. By comparing pairs of male rats with pairs of female rats, we find (i) that female demonstrators freeze less when submitted to footshocks, but that (ii) the emotional contagion response, i.e. the degree of influence across the rats, does not depend on the sex of the rats. This was true whether emotional contagion was quantified based on the slope of a regression linking demonstrator and observer average freezing, or on Granger causality estimates of moment-to-moment freezing. The lack of sex differences in emotional contagion is compatible with an interpretation of emotional contagion as serving selfish danger detection.

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