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Sex difference in peripheral arterial response to cold exposure.
Fujio Sato1, Shonosuke Matsushita, Kazuyuki Hyodo
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Summary
Women may feel the cold more due to sex differences in vascular response. Female rats showed less arterial dilation in response to cold, potentially explaining "Hie-sho" cold sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Vascular Biology
- Sex Differences
Background:
- "Hie-sho" (cold sensation) is common in Japan, particularly among women.
- This phenomenon may stem from differences in how the body's blood vessels react to cold.
- Investigating sex-based vascular responses to cold is crucial for understanding this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that sex differences in vascular response to cold contribute to "Hie-sho".
- To quantitatively assess arterial diameter changes in male and female rats under cold exposure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized synchrotron radiation micro-angiography (SRMA) for high-resolution arterial imaging.
- Measured hind limb tissue temperature and arterial diameter in male and female Wistar rats.
- Applied controlled cold exposure to induce physiological responses.
Main Results:
- Female rats experienced a significantly greater temperature reduction than males during cold exposure.
- Both sexes showed arterial dilation, but female rats exhibited a statistically smaller percentage increase (69% ± 40%) compared to males (118% ± 73%).
Conclusions:
- Female rat limb arteries showed reduced dilation compared to males when exposed to cold.
- This diminished vascular response in females may underlie the greater cold sensitivity observed in women.
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