Sex differences in temperature rhythm disruption after traumatic brain injury

Circadian rhythms are a natural endogenous process that regulates many bodily functions including body temperature and are linked to overall health. Disruptions in circadian rhythms have far reaching effects on systems vulnerable to traumatic brain injury (TBI), including sleep, neuroendocrine and immune function, and mental health. Whether TBI affects temperature rhythms differently in females and males is unknown and may impact recovery trajectory. In this study we measured body temperature rhythms in adult female and male rats in the home cage via passive changes in temperature across the circadian cycle using cosinor analysis at baseline and after mild-moderate lateral fluid percussion injury (FPI). Overall, females had higher temperature compared to males. After sham surgery and FPI, temperature MESOR (midline estimate statistic of rhythm) increased in all groups but to a greater degree in males. In females however, FPI significantly reduced the amplitude and oscillation frequency of their baseline circadian temperature rhythms compared to all other groups. These data indicate sex differences in circadian temperature rhythms following TBI, with loss of rhythmicity in females. Changes in circadian function may underlie or be associated with other sex-dependent physiological changes after TBI, which may offer a potential target for treatment in the recovery after TBI in humans.