In albino rats (Wistar) aged 10 and 14 days of postnatal life, experiments were performed, in which the intensity of lipoperoxidative processes in cerebral cortex and medulla oblongata in four experimental series was measured and compared (between males and females, the effect of hypobaric hypoxia corresponding 7000 m of altitude and lasting 20 minutes and the effect of short-term starvation i.e. for 24 hours between the day 5th and 6th of postnatal life and finally between females and males exposed to the combination of mentioned stressors). The hypoxia evokes significantely greater increase of lipoperoxidative processes in brain tissue of males. The short-term starvation affected more the oxygen radicals production in females. The exposition to normobaric oxygen atmosphere enhanced the lipid peroxidative processes also significantely in the brain tissue of males of various age (as compared with females). Male and female rats (Wistar), 5 days old and full grown rats were used in experiments in which the effect of i.p. administered adrenaline (0,15 mg/kg body weight) on the ascorbic acid content in various parts of the brain and plasma was followed. The significant decrease of ascorbic acid content in the brain in females (increase in the plasma) and exactly the opposite result in males (full grown) were described. In rats, distinct developmental changes in plasma dopamin betahyd- roxylase (E.C.1.14.17.1.) activity and significant differences between sexes were established (higher activity in females). Stressors such as hypoxia and short-term starvation in young as well in adults-evokes a decrease of DBH plasmatic activity.

Fyziologický ústav 1 LF UK Praha

Brain -sex-dependent differences in experiment

14. celostátní konference biologické psychiatrie s mezinárodní účastí "Stálost a proměny biologické psychiatrie", Luhačovice, 10.-13. června 2009

Lit.: 6