Sex differences in stress and immune responses during confinement in Antarctica.
Adult
Antarctic Regions
Antigens, Fungal
/ immunology
Catecholamines
/ urine
Cytokines
/ immunology
Endocannabinoids
/ blood
Extreme Environments
Female
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Hydrocortisone
/ metabolism
Male
Middle Aged
Pokeweed Mitogens
/ immunology
Sex Characteristics
Stress, Psychological
/ blood
Young Adult
Antarctica
Confinement
Extreme environment
Immunity
Neuroendocrine response
Sex differences
Journal
Biology of sex differences
ISSN: 2042-6410
Titre abrégé: Biol Sex Differ
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101548963
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
16 04 2019
16 04 2019
Historique:
received:
09
01
2019
accepted:
18
03
2019
entrez:
18
4
2019
pubmed:
18
4
2019
medline:
7
1
2020
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Antarctica challenges human explorers by its extreme environment. The effects of these unique conditions on the human physiology need to be understood to best mitigate health problems in Antarctic expedition crews. Moreover, Antarctica is an adequate Earth-bound analogue for long-term space missions. To date, its effects on human physiology have been studied mainly in male cohorts though more female expeditioners and applicants in astronaut training programs are selected. Therefore, the identification of sex differences in stress and immune reactions are becoming an even more essential aim to provide a more individualized risk management. Ten female and 16 male subjects participated in three 1-year expeditions to the German Antarctic Research Station Neumayer III. Blood, saliva, and urine samples were taken 1-2 months prior to departure, subsequently every month during their expedition, and 3-4 months after return from Antarctica. Analyses included cortisol, catecholamine and endocannabinoid measurements; psychological evaluation; differential blood count; and recall antigen- and mitogen-stimulated cytokine profiles. Cortisol showed significantly higher concentrations in females than males during winter whereas no enhanced psychological stress was detected in both sexes. Catecholamine excretion was higher in males than females but never showed significant increases compared to baseline. Endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamides increased significantly in both sexes and stayed consistently elevated during the confinement. Cytokine profiles after in vitro stimulation revealed no sex differences but resulted in significant time-dependent changes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly higher in males than females, and hemoglobin increased significantly in both sexes compared to baseline. Platelet counts were significantly higher in females than males. Leukocytes and granulocyte concentrations increased during confinement with a dip for both sexes in winter whereas lymphocytes were significantly elevated in both sexes during the confinement. The extreme environment of Antarctica seems to trigger some distinct stress and immune responses but-with the exception of cortisol and blood cell counts-without any major relevant sex-specific differences. Stated sex differences were shown to be independent of enhanced psychological stress and seem to be related to the environmental conditions. However, sources and consequences of these sex differences have to be further elucidated.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Antarctica challenges human explorers by its extreme environment. The effects of these unique conditions on the human physiology need to be understood to best mitigate health problems in Antarctic expedition crews. Moreover, Antarctica is an adequate Earth-bound analogue for long-term space missions. To date, its effects on human physiology have been studied mainly in male cohorts though more female expeditioners and applicants in astronaut training programs are selected. Therefore, the identification of sex differences in stress and immune reactions are becoming an even more essential aim to provide a more individualized risk management.
METHODS
Ten female and 16 male subjects participated in three 1-year expeditions to the German Antarctic Research Station Neumayer III. Blood, saliva, and urine samples were taken 1-2 months prior to departure, subsequently every month during their expedition, and 3-4 months after return from Antarctica. Analyses included cortisol, catecholamine and endocannabinoid measurements; psychological evaluation; differential blood count; and recall antigen- and mitogen-stimulated cytokine profiles.
RESULTS
Cortisol showed significantly higher concentrations in females than males during winter whereas no enhanced psychological stress was detected in both sexes. Catecholamine excretion was higher in males than females but never showed significant increases compared to baseline. Endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamides increased significantly in both sexes and stayed consistently elevated during the confinement. Cytokine profiles after in vitro stimulation revealed no sex differences but resulted in significant time-dependent changes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly higher in males than females, and hemoglobin increased significantly in both sexes compared to baseline. Platelet counts were significantly higher in females than males. Leukocytes and granulocyte concentrations increased during confinement with a dip for both sexes in winter whereas lymphocytes were significantly elevated in both sexes during the confinement.
CONCLUSIONS
The extreme environment of Antarctica seems to trigger some distinct stress and immune responses but-with the exception of cortisol and blood cell counts-without any major relevant sex-specific differences. Stated sex differences were shown to be independent of enhanced psychological stress and seem to be related to the environmental conditions. However, sources and consequences of these sex differences have to be further elucidated.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30992051
doi: 10.1186/s13293-019-0231-0
pii: 10.1186/s13293-019-0231-0
pmc: PMC6469129
doi:
Substances chimiques
Antigens, Fungal
0
Catecholamines
0
Cytokines
0
Endocannabinoids
0
Pokeweed Mitogens
0
Hydrocortisone
WI4X0X7BPJ
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
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