Lack of effect of gender on retinopathy in the mouse.

BACKGROUND

The reported effect of gender on retinopathy of prematurity has been controversial. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of gender on oxygen-induced retinopathy in a mouse model.

METHODS

Oxygen-induced retinopathy was produced in C57BL6 mice by exposure to 75% oxygen from postnatal day (P) 7 for 5 days. Animals were returned to room air on P12 and killed on P17-21. Gender was determined by inspection. Retinopathy was evaluated by a retinopathy scoring system and by quantifcation of extraretinal neovascular nuclei on retinal sections.

RESULTS

Both males and females developed similar degrees of retinopathy. Males had a median total retinopathy score of 9 (25th, 75th quartile: 8, 11) and females had score of 9 (25th, 75th quartile: 7, 10). Retinal subscores of blood vessel growth, blood vessel tufts, extraretinal neovascularzation, haemorrhage and blood vessel tortuosity were similar in both groups. Males and females had a similar number of neovascular nuclei on retinal sections.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender does not alter the development of oxygen-induced retinopathy in the C57BL6 mouse.