Table 1.

Approaches to sex as a biological variable in preclinical blast research.

Sex-related variable	Experimental approach	Relevancy
Sex chromosomes	Male testis-determining gene, Sry mouse model, X* mouse strains	Permit study of the impact of Sry and possibly other Y chromosome–encoded genes; X chromosome (single X, XX, models) permit study of the genetic load of the X chromosome
Estrous cycle factors	Assessment and comparison of endocrine status	Ascertainment of ovarian cycle effects with injuries sustained at a particular stage of the ovarian cycle may lead to insights regarding differential effects on outcome
Gonadal hormone status	“Endocrine ablation” by gonadectomy; hormone replacement	Assess gonadal steroid effects upon dependent variables. Other factors include reproductive status, possible relevancy to contraceptives, hormone replacement therapies, steroid or anabolic steroid use, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (e.g., phthalates, bisphenol), menopause, eating disorders, intense physical activities