Study of Autonomic Nervous System Activity based on Gender Differences

The present study was conducted on 200 medical students in the age group of 17 – 25 years. They were allocated into two groups: Group 1 comprised of young healthy males. Group II comprised of young healthy female and this group underwent two phases of examination: First examination was done during late follicular phase between 10^th to 13^th day (Group IIA) and the second examination was done during mid luteal phase between 17^th to 22^nd day (Group IIB) of ovarian (menstrual) cycle. Autonomic function testing to assess sympathetic and parasympathetic activity was done.

The finding of the present study indicated that there is marked difference in autonomic functions in males and females and these differences vary with the phase of menstrual cycle of females. This study revealed that there is predominant sympathetic activity in males compared to females whereas there is significant parasympathetic activity in females during late follicular phase compared to males. However, parasympathetic activity was reduced while sympathetic activity was increased in females during mid luteal phase.