Rats exposed to resource scarcity during weaning experience dimorphic sex differences in renal function, oxidative stress, and autonomic activity

Background: Poverty is defined as the lack of adequate resources to meet basic needs. Poverty is considered an early life stress (ELS) that is linked to the development of kidney disease during adulthood, showing sex differences. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear, although oxidative stress and autonomic activity may be involved. To evaluate the alterations in renal function, oxidative stress, and autonomic activity in adults exposed to ELS, our lab utilizes the limited bedding and nesting (LBN) rodent model. This model induces chronic stress by reducing bedding and nesting material from postnatal days 2-9. We hypothesize that LBN males will have a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), increased circulating oxidative stress, and increased sympathetic nerve activity (SNA): parasympathetic nerve activity (PNA), while LBN females will show no changes in these variables. Methods: After exposure to the LBN or control (CON) condition, pups were weaned and separated by sex and condition. During adulthood (17-24 weeks), SNA and PNA were recorded. Autonomic activity was examined by the ratio of SNA:PNA, measured by low frequency blood pressure variability (LF BPV) and high frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV). Following the recording, GFR was evaluated via FITC-sinistrin. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), a marker of oxidative stress, was measured via a biochemical assay, using plasma. Results: GFR was reduced by ~34% in LBN vs. CON males (0.89 ± 0.12 vs. 1.35 ± 0.08 mL/min/100g body weight, p=0.004), while GFR in LBN females remained unchanged (ns). Exposure to the LBN condition increased circulating H 2 O 2 in both males and females (F (1, 24) = 5.74, p=0.02). However, compared to the same sex CONs, LBN males displayed a greater, 17%, upward trend in H 2 O 2 (1.15 ± 0.08 vs. 0.98 ± 0.02 nMol, p=0.07), whereas LBN females only displayed a modest, nonsignificant, increase in H 2 O 2 (1.16 ± 0.03 vs. 1.04 ± 0.06 nMol, ns). The ratio of SNA:PNA was elevated in both LBN males and females (F (1, 16) = 8.685, p=0.01). Surprisingly, LBN vs. CON males displayed a 3-fold increase (2.73 x 10-4 vs. 9.11 x 10-5 A.U., p=0.05) and LBN vs. CON females exhibited a 10-fold increase (2.73 x 10-4 vs. 2.23 x 10-5 A.U., p=0.05). Conclusion: Resource scarcity during weaning induces sex differences in renal function, circulating oxidative stress, and autonomic activity in adult rats. Both males and females exposed to LBN have increased oxidative stress and autonomic activity, although the degree of severity differs. LBN males displayed a greater increase in oxidative stress, while LBN females showed a greater increase SNA: PNA activity. Only LBN males revealed a reduction in renal function. Therefore, in this model of ELS, oxidative stress may play a more critical role in reducing renal function, as demonstrated by LBN males. Future studies will explore the impact oxidative stress in LBN males to cause renal dysfunction. Additionally, future studies will address why LBN females may be experiencing renal protection, despite an increase in the autonomic ratio seen in both sexes. Researching these pathways can provide insight into how ELS leads to long-term health disparities between sexes. This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2026 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.