The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in immune variables and upper @entity1729 (URTI) incidence in 18-35 year-old @entity2587 engaged in endurance-based physical activity during the winter months. Eighty physically active individuals (46 males, 34 females) provided resting venous blood samples for determination of differential leukocyte counts, lymphocyte subsets and whole blood culture multi-antigen stimulated cytokine production. Timed collections of unstimulated saliva were also made for determination of saliva flow rate, @entity7571 ( @entity7571 ) concentration and @entity7571 secretion rate. Weekly training and illness logs were kept for the following 4 months. Training loads averaged 10 h/week of moderate-vigorous physical activity and were not different for males and females. Saliva flow rates, @entity7571 concentration and @entity7571 secretion rates were significantly higher in males than females (all P < 0.01). Plasma @entity7571 , IgG and IgM concentrations and total blood leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts were not different between the sexes but males had higher numbers of B cells (P < 0.05) and NK cells (P < 0.001). The production of @entity8819 , interferon-gamma and tumour @entity39 factor-alpha in response to multi-antigen challenge were not significantly different in males and females (all P > 0.05). The average number of weeks with URTI symptoms was 1.7 +/- 2.1 (mean +/- SD) in males and 2.3 +/- 2.5 in females (P = 0.311). It is concluded that most aspects of immunity are similar in @entity1 and @entity1 in an athletic population and that the observed differences in a few immune variables are not sufficient to substantially affect URTI incidence. Sex differences in immune function among @entity2587 probably do not need to be considered in future mixed gender studies on exercise, @entity281 and immune function unless the focus is on mucosal immunity or NK cells.

Sex differences in immune variables and XXXX incidence in an athletic population.

@entity7571 :: ('973', 'Gene') :: ['immunoglobulin A', 'IgA'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['men', 'women'] @entity39 :: ('MESH:D009336', 'Disease') :: ['necrosis'] @entity2587 :: ('MESH:D001265', 'Disease') :: ['athletes'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['infection'] @entity1729 :: ('MESH:D012141', 'Disease') :: ['respiratory tract infection'] @entity8819 :: ('3589;50616', 'Gene') :: ['interleukins 1 beta, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10']
@entity1729 :: (MESH:D012141,Disease) :: ['respiratory infection']
