Sex difference of N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in the kidney, urine, and plasma of mice.

N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities in urine, kidney, and plasma were compared in an age-matched group of male and female ds mice. In males, the NAG activity in the kidney was significantly higher (p less than 0.001), and the urinary NAG activity (unit/g creatinine) was 8-fold higher than those for females, while plasma NAG levels were significantly lower (p less than 0.001). These findings indicate that when using urinary NAG activity to detect drug nephrotoxicity in mice, the different basal levels between males and females should be considered before drug administration.