Sex Differences in the Immune System Become Evident in the Perinatal Period in the Four Core Genotypes Mouse.

ABSTRACT: We have used the four core genotypes (FCG) mouse model, which allows a distinction between effects of gonadal secretions and chromosomal complement, to determine when sex differences in the immune system first appear and what influences their development. Using splenic T cell number as a measure that could be applied to neonates with as yet immature immune responses, we found no differences among the four genotypes at postnatal day 1, but by day 7, clear sex differences were observed. These sex differences were unexpectedly independent of chromosomal complement and similar in degree to gonadectomized FCG adults: both neonatal and gonadectomized adult females (XX and XY) showed 2-fold the number of CD4+ and 7-fold the number of CD8+ T cells versus their male (XX and XY) counterparts.

SUBMITTER: Ghosh MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8191418 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature