Sex differences in hearing impairment due to diet-induced obesity in CBA/Ca mice

Abstract

Highlights Females are protected against HFD-induced metabolic alterations and hearing impairment. Sex differences were seen in the ABR wave 1 amplitude, which correlated with loss of hair-cell ribbon synapses (CtBP2). The serum adiponectin concentration was significantly higher in female compared to male mice, and the cochlear adiponectin levels were elevated by HFD in females, but not male mice. Cochlear and liver AdipoR1 expression evidenced significant sex differences in CBA/Ca mice. The core stress granule component, G3BP1, was induced by HFD in the cochleae of male and female mice. Significant sex differences were found in cochlear blood flow and IL-1β concentration.

Keywords

• Hearing loss
• HFD-induced obesity
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR)
• Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE)
• Wave 1 amplitude
• CtBP2