Figure 1

Real-time PCR analysis of miRNA levels in male and female rat liver. Male and female rat livers were used to extract miRNA-enriched RNA. cDNA was synthesized from 100 ng of this miRNA-enriched RNA using miRNA specific primers (miR-29b, miR-451, miR-122a) or random hexamers (5S rRNA), and real-time PCR analysis was used to quantify RNA levels. The results were related to corresponding levels in male livers and presented as ratios (mean ± S.E.). * indicate significant differences between males and females (p < 0.05), using student's t-test.