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January 10, 2026Biology of Sex DifferencesOpen Access

Hormones, heat, and health: a comprehensive review of sex-based differences in brown and beige fat biology

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Key result

Females exhibit higher estrogen-influenced brown adipose tissue volume and thermogenic efficiency compared to males.

Why the study?

Understanding sex-specific responses of brown and beige fat to internal and external signals is critical to develop targeted strategies for obesity and metabolic disease.

Design

Review

Authors

CSChikkamagaluru Gopalakrishna ShashankArkansas Children's Nutrition CenterRMRaga MandaliArkansas Children's Nutrition CenterUWUmesh D. Wankhade

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Implication

May inform sex-stratified BAT research in obesity; leaves open prospective trials to confirm hormonal effects.

Key Points

  • To explore how sex, hormones, and environmental factors influence the biology and activity of brown and beige fat.
  • Reviewed existing literature on brown and beige fat biology across animal and human studies.
  • Analyzed the effects of hormones like estrogen and testosterone on thermogenic activity.
  • Outlined key signaling pathways involved in fat biology and their interaction with sex hormones.
  • Females exhibit higher brown adipose tissue volume and efficiency in thermogenesis.
  • Estrogen enhances uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and promotes beige fat formation.
  • Testosterone is linked to reduced thermogenic gene expression and increased metabolic risks, especially in men.

Cite This Study

Shashank et al. (2025) studied this question. Females exhibit higher brown adipose tissue volume and thermogenic efficiency, influenced by estrogen, compared to males, who face greater metabolic risks from testosterone.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6963220791e05aa366cb86e5https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00787-4

Topics

Persistent AF managementAtrial fibrillation
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