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Sex matters in preclinical research
1Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada.
Disease Models & Mechanisms
|March 7, 2024
Summary
Including females in preclinical research enhances scientific rigor and treatment outcomes. Analyzing sex as a biological variable in animal models is crucial for reliable results and better health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sex as a biological variable in preclinical research
- Reproductive biology and its impact on health outcomes
Background:
- Biological sex differences manifest in various forms across species, influencing physiology and disease.
- These differences significantly impact disease progression and responses to medical treatments.
- Current preclinical research often overlooks or underreports sex as a key variable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of including females in preclinical research.
- To advocate for the analysis and reporting of sex as a biological variable.
- To improve scientific rigor and treatment reliability in biomedical studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing preclinical research methodologies.
- Analysis of sex-differentiated traits in various organisms.
- Emphasis on the integration of sex as a biological variable in experimental design.
Main Results:
- Inclusion of females advances scientific rigor.
- Considering sex differences improves the reliability of treatment outcomes.
- Sex-based biological factors (hormonal, physiological, metabolic) critically influence health.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for improved inclusion and reporting of sex as a biological variable.
- Analyzing sex differences in preclinical animal models is essential for advancing medicine.
- Integrating sex as a variable enhances the translational value of research findings.
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