Carleton University
Establishing a Rodent Model of Postoperative Pain: Investigating Potential Sex Differences and Changes in Gene Expression
Abstract
dc:description.abstractChronic pain is a debilitating condition affecting many Canadians. Developing new treatments requires improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying persistent pain. However, preclinical pain research is limited by poor translatability and the underrepresentation of females. To address this, we established a rat model of postoperative pain and assessed potential sex differences in mechanical hypersensitivity. To optimize data collection, adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats received handling or tickling prior to testing. USVs were recorded, and tickled rats emitted USVs signalling positive affect. Rats underwent plantar incision or sham surgeries, and PWTs were measured using Von Frey filaments before and for eight days after surgery. Both sexes developed robust hypersensitivity with no sex differences observed. Hypersensitivity levels were comparable to those in male CFA-treated rats. qRT-PCR analysis of spinal dorsal horn tissue showed no sex differences or surgery-related differences in genes associated with hyperexcitability, plasticity, or inflammation.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Master's
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Neuroscience
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Carleton University
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2025
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Marshall, Elaine Julia Lyles
Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- Copyright © 2025 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/44797