Abstract
The Y chromosome from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) has a locus that raises blood pressure 20-25 mmHg. Associated with the SHR Y chromosome effect is a 4-week earlier pubertal rise of testosterone and dependence upon the androgen receptor for the full blood pressure effect. Several indices of enhanced sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity are also associated with the SHR Y chromosome. Blockade of SNS outflow reduced the blood pressure effect. Salt sensitivity was increased by the Y chromosome as was salt appetite which was SNS dependent. A strong correlation (r = 0. 57, P<0.001) was demonstrable between plasma testosterone and angiotensin II. Coronary collagen increased with blood pressure and the presence of the SHR Y chromosome. A promising candidate gene for the Y effect is the Sry locus (testis determining factor), a transcription factor which may also have other functions.
Highlights
The mammalian Y chromosome has evolved as an efficient mechanism of sex determination
A Y chromosome contains fewer loci than predicted by its size when compared to autosomal chromosomes, since most of its length is composed of species specific repeats
We have shown an increase in coronary collagen associated with testosterone and the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) Y chromosome [33]
Summary
The mammalian Y chromosome has evolved as an efficient mechanism of sex determination. The unique region, which does not recombine with the X chromosome, contains the dominant testes determining locus (Sry). This locus is primarily responsible for male sexual phenotype. A gene locus (or loci) that is instrumental in increasing blood pressure in this strain Results from both reciprocal crosses and consomic lines indicate that the Y chromosome is responsible for about 20-25% of the total blood pressure increase in the SHR strain. Y Chromosome blood pressure effect in other laboratories - animal and human studies. We crossed SHR/crl with our WKY rats and failed to find an SHR Y chromosome blood pressure effect [9]. The use of a mathematical model to analyze data from cattle that developed pulmonary hypertension at high altitude showed that those data were consistent with a Y chromosome effect [12]
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