Osaka, Japan – Researchers have uncovered a groundbreaking discovery that may explain why women tend to outlive men. In a recent study published in Science Advances, scientists from Osaka University have found that germ cells, which develop into eggs in females and sperm in males, play a crucial role in determining lifespan differences between the sexes in vertebrate animals.
The study focused on turquoise killifish, a species with a short lifespan. Like in humans, female killifish typically live longer than males. However, when researchers removed the germ cells from these fish, they observed that both males and females had similar lifespans.
Lead author Kota Abe explains, “After removing the germ cells, male killifish lived longer than normal, while female lifespans became shorter. This prompted us to delve deeper into the factors influencing these differences.”
Further analysis revealed that female killifish lacking germ cells experienced lower estrogen levels and higher growth factor signaling, leading to health complications and accelerated aging. On the other hand, male killifish showed improved health outcomes and increased vitamin D signaling. This suggests that vitamin D may play a crucial role in enhancing longevity, prompting further investigations with supplements.
“When we introduced active vitamin D into the equation, we observed significant extensions in the lifespans of both male and female fish. This indicates that vitamin D signaling has widespread health benefits,” senior author Tohru Ishitani states. “Our findings suggest that vitamin D signaling could potentially impact the longevity of other vertebrates, including humans.”
This groundbreaking discovery sheds light on the intricate relationship between germ cells, reproduction, aging, and lifespan. By understanding the mechanisms that influence lifespan differences between males and females, researchers hope to unlock new possibilities for extending longevity in various species, potentially including humans.