Sex-dependent development of enhanced sympathoexcitation in sedentary versus physically active rats.

ABSTRACT:

Key points

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) may contribute to sex-based differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system observed in sedentary male rats; however, the added influence of the reproductive cycle in females is currently unknown. To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate greater increases in sympathetic nerve activity in response to direct activation of the RVLM in female versus male rats prior to the onset of the reproductive cycle, which persisted after the onset of the reproductive cycle. Lower resting blood pressures in females also suggest peripheral adaptations contribute to sex-based differences in CVD. Sedentary versus physically active conditions appear to promote higher resting sympathe

SUBMITTER: Matus LN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8425351 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature