Fig. 1

Study design to identify sex and dietary effects on miRNA expression. a miRNAs were sequenced in adipose tissue from the Four Core Genotypes mouse model (comprising XX female, XX male, XY female and XY male mice). A comparison of miRNA levels in female XX and XY adipose tissue with those in male XX and XY tissue allows detection of effects due to gonadal type. A comparison of miRNA levels in female and male XX adipose tissue with those on female and male XY tissue allows detection of effects due to sex chromosome type. b To determine the effects of acute gonadal hormones of diet, miRNA sequencing was performed in Four Core Genotypes cohorts that were fed a chow diet in the gonadally intact state, fed a chow diet and gonadectomized as adults to remove the acute effects of gonadal secretions, and in mice that were gonadectomized as adults and fed a high fat diet for 16 weeks