Abstract
The surfactant system has been the focus of investigation for sex differences In lung maturation. Whereas many studies have demonstrated advanced surfactant maturation in female fetuses, others have found no sex differences or even indications of female disadvantage (Am. Rev. Resp. Dis. 124: 435, 1981). The pulmonary antioxldant enzyme (AOE) system, functioning to detoxify O2-free radicals, matures on a time course similar to surfactant development. To explore whether sex differences might be present in AOE system development and to confirm previous findings of sex differences in surfactant development, we examined 2-3 litters of fetal rabbits at each of 4 gestational ages for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GP) activities (U./mg DNA) and for lung DSPC content.
Male fetuses had significantly increased SOD, CAT and GP activities (and DSPC content) suggesting a male advantage in AOE maturation at 28 days. This is the first demonstration that the lung AOE system, important in preparing an organism for the increased oxidant conditions present at birth, may be maturing earlier in the male rather than female animal.
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Sosenko, I., Frannk, I. SEX DIFFERENCES IN ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME DEVELOPMENT: MALE ADVANTAGE IN THE RABBIT. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 222 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00335
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00335