Sex specific changes of carotid arterial function in response to vitamin d deficiency

In rats male gender was associated with increased phenylephrine induced contraction and reduced acetylcholine induced relaxation of the carotid artery. Vitamin D deficiency caused increased contraction in both sexes; did not change acetylcholine induced relaxation, but reduced the estrogen induced relaxation in female arteries. These functional differences were accompanied with sex specific histological changes of the vessel. The observed sex specific properties and responses of carotid artery to vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the gender difference of cardiovascular and stroke risk.