Sex hormones and the vascular smooth muscle

Publisher Summary Sex hormones are known to interact with cytosolic and nuclear receptors and to induce a host of genomic effects in various vascular cells. Sex hormones may also interact with specific plasmalemmal receptors and induce additional non-genomic vascular effects. This chapter provides an insight into how genetic sex and sex hormones influence regulation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM). The chapter illustrates the sex differences in vascular tone and how sex hormones and their receptors contribute to these differences is outlined. Effects of sex hormones on VSM cell growth and proliferation is described and a detailed description of the effects of sex hormones on the signaling mechanisms of VSM contraction has been provided. The chapter gives a perspective on potential areas for future investigations to better understand the mechanisms underlying sex differences in the functioning of VSM. Testosterone or androgen receptors have also been identified in VSM cells. The expression of androgen receptors in VSM appears to vary depending on the sex and the status of the gonads.