Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Mammalian physiology and behavior is heavily influenced by circadian rhythms that are generated by an internal clock that is synchronized to light-dark cycles and environmental cues. Recent studies in mice have demonstrated a sexual dimorphism in circadian entrainment to feeding, with female mice showing less attunement with scheduled feeding as compared to males (Hsu, et al., 2010; Li, et al., 2015; Michalik et al., 2015). On a time restricted diet, males tend to develop food anticipatory activity sooner, along with higher amplitude, than females. The underlying cause of this sex difference remains unknown. Studies performed in our laboratory suggest that the sex difference in food anticipatory activity is unrelated to gonadal sex hormones. Currently, we are testing whether the difference in food anticipatory activity between male and female mice is due to sex chromosome copy number. We have obtained male mice with mutated Y chromosomes (Sry gene), rendering them gonadal females (XY-). Comparatively, wild-type females contain two copies of the X chromosomes (XX). We can rescue the Sry mutation by transgenic expression of Sry from an autosome (non-sex chromosome) to generate and compare XY-, SryTg and XX SryTg mice. From these comparisons we should be able to determine whether sex differences are due to sex chromosome copy numbers as opposed to sex hormones, for example. This research may provide insights into why eating disorders preferentially affect females and also obesity related issues.
Authors: Martin, Camille, Ogawa-okada, Maya
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7005856010