Sex Differences in Adrenal Bmal1 Deletion–Induced Augmentation of Glucocorticoid Responses to Stress and ACTH in Mice

Female Cyp11A1Cre/+::Bmal1Fl/Fl knockout mice exhibit elevated plasma corticosterone following stress, indicating a significant adrenal response.

• The adrenal clock is synchronized by the suprachiasmatic nucleus and influences glucocorticoid responses to stress.
• Following restraint stress, both female and male knockout mice show increased plasma corticosterone, but plasma ACTH levels remain unchanged.
• Elevated plasma corticosterone in female knockout mice occurs specifically during submaximal scruff stress.
• Adrenal cells from female knockout mice demonstrate increased corticosterone responses to ACTH without changing the potency of the response.
• Gene analysis reveals increased expression of genes involved in cell cycle control and steroid production in female knockout mice.
• The findings suggest that adrenal Bmal1 plays a significant role in regulating steroid secretion, especially in females.

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