Vasopressinergic sexual dimorphism: Sex chromosome complement and organizational hormonal effects.

This study aimed to analyze the role of the sex chromosomes (SCC: XX/XY) and the interaction with organizational hormonal effects on Avp gene expression at the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) due to water deprivation, as well as on the vasopressinergic sexually dimorphic antidiuretic and pressor responses. For this purpose, we used gonadectomized (GDX) transgenic mice of the "four core genotypes" model, in which the effect of gonadal sex and SCC are dissociated. A significant interaction between treatment and SCC on Avp gene expression at the SON was observed.

Comparison of dipsogenic responses of adult rat offspring as a function of different perinatal programming models.

The perinatal environment interacts with the genotype of the developing organism resulting in a unique phenotype through a developmental or perinatal programming phenomenon. However, it remains unclear how this phenomenon differentially affects particular targets expressing specific drinking responses depending on the perinatal conditions. The main goal of the present study was to compare the dipsogenic responses induced by different thirst models as a function of two perinatal manipulation models, defined by the maternal free access to hypertonic sodium solution and a partial aortic ligation (PAL-W/Na) or a sham-ligation (Sham-W/Na).

The effect of increased NaCl intake on rat brain endogenous μ-opioid receptor signalling.

Numerous studies demonstrate the significant role of central β-endorphin and its receptor, the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), in sodium intake regulation. The present study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between chronic high-NaCl intake and brain endogenous MOR functioning. We examined whether short-term (4 days) obligatory salt intake (2% NaCl solution) in rats induces changes in MOR mRNA expression, G-protein activity and MOR binding capacity in brain regions involved in salt intake regulation.

Sex chromosome complement involvement in angiotensin receptor sexual dimorphism.

This study aimed to define whether sex chromosome complement (SCC) may differentially modulate sex differences in relative gene expression of basal Agtr1a, Agtr2, and Mas1 receptors at fore/hindbrain nuclei and at medulla/cortical kidney. Samples were collected from gonadectomized male (XX and XY) and female (XX and XY) mice of the "four core genotypes" model. At brain level, a SCC effect at the area postrema was demonstrated.

Angiotensin II AT receptors mediate neuronal sensitization and sustained blood pressure response induced by a single injection of amphetamine.

A single exposure to amphetamine induces neurochemical sensitization in striatal areas. The neuropeptide angiotensin II, through AT receptors (AT-R) activation, is involved in these responses. However, amphetamine-induced alterations can be extended to extra-striatal areas involved in blood pressure control and their physiological outcomes.

Sex differences in body fluid homeostasis: Sex chromosome complement influences on bradycardic baroreflex response and sodium depletion induced neural activity.

Clinical and basic findings indicate that angiotensin II (ANG II) differentially modulates hydroelectrolyte and cardiovascular responses in male and female. But are only the activational and organizational hormonal effects to blame for such differences? Males and females not only differ in their sex (males are born with testes and females with ovaries) but also carry different sex chromosome complements and are thus influenced throughout life by different genomes. In this review, we discuss our recent studies in order to evaluate whether sex chromosome complement is in part responsible for gender differences previously observed in ANG II bradycardic-baroreflex response and sodium depletion-induced sodium appetite and neural activity.

Sex chromosome complement determines sex differences in aromatase expression and regulation in the stria terminalis and anterior amygdala of the developing mouse brain.

Aromatase, which converts testosterone in estradiol, is involved in the generation of brain sex dimorphisms. Here we used the "four core genotypes" mouse model, in which the effect of gonadal sex and sex chromosome complement is dissociated, to determine if sex chromosomes influence the expression of brain aromatase. The brain of 16 days old XY mouse embryos showed higher aromatase expression in the stria terminalis and the anterior amygdaloid area than the brain of XX embryos, independent of gonadal sex.

Early free access to hypertonic NaCl solution induces a long-term effect on drinking, brain cell activity and gene expression of adult rat offspring.

Exposure to an altered osmotic environment during a pre/postnatal period can differentially program the fluid intake and excretion pattern profile in a way that persists until adulthood. However, knowledge about the programming effects on the underlying brain neurochemical circuits of thirst and hydroelectrolyte balance, and its relation with behavioral outputs, is limited. We evaluated whether early voluntary intake of hypertonic NaCl solution may program adult offspring fluid balance, plasma vasopressin, neural activity, and brain vasopressin and angiotensinergic receptor type 1a (AT1a)-receptor gene expression.

Effect of sex chromosome complement on sodium appetite and Fos-immunoreactivity induced by sodium depletion.

Previous studies indicate a sex chromosome complement (SCC) effect on the angiotensin II-sexually dimorphic hypertensive and bradycardic baroreflex responses. We sought to evaluate whether SCC may differentially modulate sexually dimorphic-induced sodium appetite and specific brain activity due to physiological stimulation of the rennin angiotensin system. For this purpose, we used the "four core genotype" mouse model, in which the effect of gonadal sex and SCC is dissociated, allowing comparisons of sexually dimorphic traits between XX and XY females as well as in XX and XY males.