Sex differences in response to hepatitis B virus. I. History.
Sex differences related to responses to hepatitis B infection are reviewed. In most human populations there is a higher prevalence of chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (persistently HBsAg+) among males than females. Females are more likely than males to produce anti-HBs in response to infection. Diseases associated with increased frequencies of carriers are more prevalent among males. The response of parents to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection appears to affect the sex ratio at birth of their offspring. Couples in which either parent is a carrier have higher sex ratios (higher proportion of males) compared with couples in which neither parent is HBsAg+. Couples in which the mother is anti-HBs+ have children with lower sex ratios than either carriers or uninfected couples.
D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011247:Pregnancy; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012744:Sex Ratio
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens