ABSTRACT
Introduction............................................................................................................371 Autoimmune Diseases ...........................................................................................377 Endometriosis ........................................................................................................377 Infections................................................................................................................377 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome....................................................................................378 Herpes Infections and HIV....................................................................................378 Cancer ....................................................................................................................378 Summary ................................................................................................................379 References..............................................................................................................379
It has long been known that there is a sexual dichotomy in immune function. Males produce less antibody and are more susceptible to infectious disease than are females (Batchelor & Chapman, 1965; Goble & Konopka, 1973; Michaels & Rogers, 1971; Stein & Davidsohn, 1955; Terres et.al. 1968; Washburn et al., 1965; Wheaton & Hurst, 1961; Willoughby & Watson, 1964). This dichotomy is apparently exhibited in all aspects of the immune system. Females have higher plasma concentrations of immunoglobulin (Eidinger & Garret, 1972; McCruden & Stimson, 1991; Rawley & McKay, 1969, Tartokovsky et al., 1981) and greater primary and secondary antibody responses to a number of antigens (Batchelor & Chapman, 1965; Kalland, 1980; London & Drew, 1977; Spencer et al., 1977; Terres et al., 1968). Some aspects of cell-mediated immunity are weaker in females than in males (Inman, 1978; Kalland, 1980; Santoli et al., 1976; Trinchieri & Zinijewski, 1976).
