Sex difference of arterial response to cold exposure

Results The temperature of the hindlimb decreased rapidly with cold exposure in all cases, and minimum tissue temperature was observed one minute after cold exposure in both groups. The reduction in tissue temperature was lager in female than in male (female: 23.0+/-6.1 degree C vs. male: 12.0+/-6.1 degree C) (p<0.05). This difference was significantly existed until 14 minutes after cold exposure. There was no significant difference in arterial diameter between both groups at pre cold exposure. In both groups, the diameters of arteries were significantly dilated at one minute after cold exposure compared with pre cold exposure (p<0.05). However, the rate of expansion was less significant in female than in male (female: 69±40% vs. male: 119±73%, p<0.05) (Fig.1 and 2).