Estimates of persistent inward currents in lower limb motoneurons are larger in females than in males

Abstract

Sex-related differences in motoneuron analyses have emerged with greater inclusion of female participants, however, mechanisms for these differences remain unclear. Estimates of persistent inward currents (i.e., Δ F) in motoneurons of the lower limb muscles were larger in females than in males. This suggests neuromodulatory drive, monoaminergic signaling, intrinsic motoneuron properties, and/or descending motor commands may differ between the sexes, which provides a potential mechanism underlying previously reported sex-related differences in motoneuron discharge patterns.