The influence of ovariectomy on the sex-dependent effects of the anticholinesterase diisopropyl fluorophosphate.

Temperature and water uptake were reduced to a greater degree in ovariectomized female and normal male rats than in sham-operated female rats following an acute administration of 1 mg/kg of the anticholinesterase diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP). Ovariectomy also led to a significant reduction in the level of serum cholinesterase activity. These findings add further support for the hypothesis that the sex-dependent effects of DFP are due, at least in part, to sex differences in serum cholinesterase activity.