Sexual differences in the expression of copper deficiency in rats

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-186-42600· OSTI ID:5269890

Fields, M; Lewis, C G; Beal, T; Scholfield, D; Patterson, K; Smith, J C; Reiser, S

The present investigation was undertaken to establish whether the severity of copper deficiency in rats fed diets containing fructose is affected by the presence and type of endogenous sex hormones. Intact and castrated male rats and intact and ovariectomized females were fed from weaning a copper-deficient diet (0.6 ppm) containing 62% fructose for 8 weeks. Regardless of castration, male rats were anemic, exhibited heart hypertrophy, and died of the deficiency. However, castration ameliorated the anemia and delayed the mortality. In contrast, none of the females died of the deficiency. It is suggested that in addition to the sex of the animal, levels of testosterone in the male may also play a role in the severity of copper deficiency.

• Research Organization: Georgetown Univ. Medical School, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5269890
• Journal Information: Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.; (United States) Vol. 186:2; ISSN PSEBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
ANEMIAS
ANIMALS
COPPER
DIET
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
HEMIC DISEASES
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
MAMMALS
METALS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RATS
RODENTS
SEX DEPENDENCE
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
SYMPTOMS
TESTOSTERONE
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES