Since high levels of sex hormones are known to inhibit the transcription of IL-6 gene, I would need to know if they are different in males that are in reproduction cages with females or are not in female's company. In a research project, we have reproduction issues and low number of animals, and we would like to keep males in reproduction as negative controls but we need to know that this does not alterate IL-6 production since the treatment involves anti IL-6.
I am not sure what you mean by "coupled" - if that means "have been bred to females" - then I would think the virgin males (or females) are a little bit different - not sure how much though. It is a fact that virgin mice will refuse to breed when they are older (6 months old thereabouts). Hope that helps.
Dear Julie,
to my knowledge, you will have to consider the strong interference of feromones in your interesting study.
Best wishes, Maria
Dear Julie Rambaldi
Best of luck
Ali
To the best of my knowledge, the T levels will be higher in male rat kept in the same cage with female. The female rat in it's close proximity will stimulate the reproductive physiology of male rat in regular intervals.
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