Androgenic influences on ventilation and ventilatory responses to oxygen and carbon dioxide during wakefulness and sleep

Gender-dependent differences in ventilation and ventilatory control have been observed in several reports.1-3 As compared to women, men at rest were found to have greater ventilation, lower ventilation per milliliter of CO2 produced, higher tidal volumes, and lower respiratory rates. Respiratory responses of men had greater sensitivity to both hypoxia and hypercapnea.1 The greater ventilation in men was associated with a higher metabolic rate.3