Sex differences of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the rat brain

Abstract

During the last two decades numerous studies have proven the existence of sexual dimorphism in the brain of lower vertebrates, birds and mammals. Differences between males and females have been found in various components of central nervous system (CNS), including volumes of certain nuclei, numbers of neurons and synaptic contacts, size of somata and outgrowths, as well as differences in neurotransmitter systems. The mechanisms by which these dimorphic features appear remain open to question for further elucidation. It is not clear yet how the morphological variations observed between sexes during development could be related to functional consequences in the adult organism.