The impact of sex and sex hormones on lung physiology and disease: lessons from animal studies

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina Numerous animal studies have revealed significant effects of sex and sex hormones on normal lung development, lung physiology, and various lung diseases. The primary goal of this review is to summarize knowledge to date on the effects of sex and sex hormones on lung development, physiology, and disease in animals. Specific emphasis will be placed on fibrosis, allergic airway disease, acute lung injury models, respiratory infection, and lung toxicology studies. estrogen; androgen; pulmonary Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: D. C. Zeldin, NIH/NIEHS, 111 T. W. Alexander Drive, Bldg. 101, Rm. D236, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (e-mail: zeldin{at}niehs.nih.gov )