21
May
2005
Older Mother, Shorter Life
(From Science Blog). A study in mice shows that delayed motherhood lowers the life span of children in mice: "Negative effects of late maternal age in women, such as abnormal numbers of chromosomes in their children, are well known. However, other potential negative effects on offspring from delayed motherhood have been only anecdotal. ... a team of reproductive biologists [presents data showing] that delayed motherhood in mice results in decreased life expectancy and reduced body weight of their offspring." This would seem to reinforce theories of aging based on accumulated genetic damage - if this damage in germ cells reduces the life span of your children, what is the same damage in other cells doing to your own body?
Comments
Post a comment; thoughtful, considered opinions are valued. Please note that comments incorporating ad hominem attacks, advertising, and other forms of inappropriate behavior are likely to be deleted.