Chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve does not induce mood-related comorbidities in female mice

Both male and female mice developed mechanical hypersensitivity following cuff surgery. However, no alteration in nest building ability, social dyadic interaction or grooming activity was observed in female mice seven weeks after surgery. Our data therefore suggest sex differences in the development of comorbidities associated with mechanical hypersensitivity. In addition, we evidenced in the brainstem sex-related differences in the expression of cytokines relevant to human neuropathy. Altogether, these results emphasize the need for additional comparisons between males and females to better grasp the role of neuroinflammation in pain sensitization and associated comorbidities.