https://goo.gl/zbyN4Z
ResearchGate: What were the key findings from your research into the gender breakup of mice used in scientific studies?
Rachel Hill: Overall my review found that a surprisingly large percentage of animal studies (around 75-80 percent) in schizophrenia research used male mice only. In addition, of the studies that did use both sexes, a large portion were underpowered. This means that the numbers from each sex involved in the study were so low that no statistically strong sex differences could be detected. Meanwhile, in 80 percent of the trials that did use a statistically significant number of male and female mice sex-specific results were actually found – so male and female mice reacted differently to the treatment.
RG: Do you feel the sample size and scope of studies you examined were sufficient to make a general statement about the gender imbalance in mice used for scientific research?
Hill: Yes, I do. I reviewed a total of 710 original articles and found that only 111 used both males and females. These articles were on a range of animal models of schizophrenia, including genetic models, drug-induced models, and developmental models.
RG: What impact could this imbalance have on humans?
Hill: We could be missing vital information on how specific genes may interact with sex steroid hormones to influence brain function and behavior. We could also be very misinformed about how certain psychotrophic drugs act in the female brain as a large percentage of studies using drug induced models only tested males – in fact, only 9 out of 191 we reviewed included females.
Rachel Hill: Overall my review found that a surprisingly large percentage of animal studies (around 75-80 percent) in schizophrenia research used male mice only. In addition, of the studies that did use both sexes, a large portion were underpowered. This means that the numbers from each sex involved in the study were so low that no statistically strong sex differences could be detected. Meanwhile, in 80 percent of the trials that did use a statistically significant number of male and female mice sex-specific results were actually found – so male and female mice reacted differently to the treatment.
RG: Do you feel the sample size and scope of studies you examined were sufficient to make a general statement about the gender imbalance in mice used for scientific research?
Hill: Yes, I do. I reviewed a total of 710 original articles and found that only 111 used both males and females. These articles were on a range of animal models of schizophrenia, including genetic models, drug-induced models, and developmental models.
RG: What impact could this imbalance have on humans?
Hill: We could be missing vital information on how specific genes may interact with sex steroid hormones to influence brain function and behavior. We could also be very misinformed about how certain psychotrophic drugs act in the female brain as a large percentage of studies using drug induced models only tested males – in fact, only 9 out of 191 we reviewed included females.