[Sexual dimorphism in the brain and drug actions: with special reference to the sex difference in the functional effects of maternal exposure to drugs in the littermate offspring].
It has long been known that in mammals there is a sex difference in the drug metabolizing enzyme activity that is reflected in the sex-related difference in the action of barbiturates and some other drugs. Recently, sex differences in the structure and function of the brain in humans and other primates have been demonstrated by many investigators. This review focused on the sex difference in the brain mainly of the rat studied with physiological, biochemical or even molecular endpoints. Our experimental results on the modulating effects of sex steroids for dopaminergic neurons were included. In addition, the findings that maternal exposure to various CNS acting drugs resulted in a marked sex difference in the brain function of the offspring when assessed with a number of measures such as open-field behavior, tolerance to the exposed drug itself, thermic responses to chlorpromazine, and the pituitary response to releasing hormones were presented and discussed.
Fujii
T
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Department of Pharmacology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012737:Sex Factors
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006220:Haloperidol