Also, it has been described a marked sexual dimorphism in cold sensitivity in transgenic mice overexpressing the glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1.1), a regulator of the M potassium current. Thus, two studies have reported that testosterone constitutes a fine regulator of thermosensitivity, through its interaction with TRPM8 ion channels (60–62). Females display lower thresholds for cold and warm sensation (i.e. detect smaller changes) (56, 57), and report a stronger sensation to a fixed warm stimulus (58). Central integration of thermoafferent information establishes not only a thermal sensation, but also a perception of pleasure or displeasure. Considering cold thermosensation, TRPM8 has been identified as the principal sensor of environmental cold (48). Thus, TRPV1, TRPM3 and TRPA1 show an overlapping pattern of expression and their combined ablation is required to abolish noxious heat sensation in mice, indicating some functional redundancy (47). In rodents the effect is not so evident because they do not have a real luteal phase, but the increase of plasma progesterone concentrations during the end of proestrus and beginning of estrus may be involved in the elevated Tc levels of estrus (19) (Figure 1). Sex hormones are proposed to influence Tc by direct action on hypothalamic POA neurons. Although the mechanism(s) underlying the differences in Tc between sexes are still not well established, gonadal hormones are considered as main factors. Finally, sex-specific differences are observed in Tc levels in laboratory animals (9, 10) and in humans (6). We finally discuss how sex-dependent characteristics in thermal responses may induce metabolic differences between males and females, with a clear physiological, clinical, and therapeutic relevance. How often do you consider that your hormones might be secretly adjusting your internal thermostat every day? Uncoupling protein; brown adipose tissue; thermogenesis; testosterone; progesterone; estradiol; RU486. Sex, thermoregulation, energy homeostasis, estrogens, progesterone, BAT, browning Peripheral vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow to extremities, such as the tail and paws in rodents and hands and feet in human, is an efficient mechanism to reduce heat loss in cold environments (66). Mammals also increase or decrease food consumption and locomotor activity to maintain thermal balance in cold and warm environments, respectively (3, 69, 70). The preference of females for warmer ambient temperatures might also be due to central mechanisms controlling whole body thermal homeostasis, i.e., sex-dependent control of the temperature set point(s) in the brain. Sex differences in sensitivity to cold and warm temperatures exist in rodents as well as in humans. In contrast, cold and heat nociceptors convey noxious temperatures and mostly do not adapt (37). Thus, it was shown that in lightly dressed women, metabolic heat production increases when air temperature decreases below 31 °C, while in men the LCT was found at 28.5 °C (32). In young men, TES concentrations increase significantly with increasing PA levels, whereas such relationships are not observed in the concentrations of COR, PRL, or DHEA-S. DHEA-S levels in the blood decrease with age, which is why this compound is referred to as the youth hormone. Cumming et al. (1983) reported that an increase in the pharmacological doses of COR decreased TES production in humans. Testosterone and COR levels can increase significantly even during low intensity exercise that is sufficiently prolonged (Brownlee et al., 2005; Väänänen et al., 2002). Similarly to COR, TES increases linearly in response to exercise stress once a specific intensity threshold is reached, and its levels generally peak at the end of exercise (Wilkerson et al., 1980). It influences the activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT), which is a "good fat" specialized in heat production. Understanding this could be a game changer for your metabolic health, energy balance, and overall vitality. In some clinical scenarios, testosterone therapy is used to restore hormonal balance, which can positively impact metabolic health. Understanding your hormonal landscape can offer clues about why your metabolism feels sluggish or why you might be resistant to weight loss even though your efforts. When testosterone levels drop, thermogenesis tends to decrease, leading to a slower metabolism. This action may partly explain why individuals with higher testosterone levels often demonstrate a higher basal metabolic rate. Have you ever wondered how your body regulates heat and burns energy beyond just moving around? A greater decrease in serum COR was noted in men with higher baseline COR levels, whereas the decrease observed in men with lower baseline COR levels was significantly smaller. Nindl et al. (2001), Daly et al. (2005) and Brownlee et al. (2005) confirmed the presence of a relationship between COR and TES during sample recovery, which could suggest that a critical concentration of COR has to be achieved in order to substantially influence circulating TES levels. Cortisol affects metabolism by maintaining blood glucose levels at a sufficiently high level during physiological stress. COR is a catabolic hormone that is secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to physiological stress. In turn, Kukkonen-Harjula and Kauppinen (1988) demonstrated sauna-induced changes in TES secretion.