Number of Children and Telomere Length in Women: A Prospective, Longitudinal Evaluation

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146424
• Publication Date: 2016-01-05T18:59:04Z
• Authors: Cindy K. Barha; Courtney W. Hanna; Katrina G. Salvante; Samantha L. Wilson; Wendy P. Robinson; Rachel M. Altman; Pablo A. Nepomnaschy
• Keywords: Pace; Senescence; Longitudinal Study

Life history theory (LHT) predicts a trade-off between reproductive effort and the pace of biological aging. Energy invested in reproduction is not available for tissue maintenance, thus having more offspring expected to lead accelerated senescence. Studies conducted variety non-human species are consistent with this LHT prediction. Here we investigate relationship number surviving children born woman telomere length (TL, marker cellular aging) over 13 years group 75 Kaqchikel Mayan women. Contrary LHT's prediction, women who had fewer exhibited shorter TLs than those (p = 0.045) after controlling TL at onset 13-year study period. An "ultimate" explanation apparently protective effect may lay human's cooperative-breeding strategy. In socio-economic cultural contexts, chilren appears be linked an increase social support mothers (e.g., allomaternal care). Higher support, has been argued reduce costs further reproduction. Lower make metabolic energy resulting slower At "proximate" level, mechanisms involved include actions gonadal steroid estradiol, which increases dramatically during pregnancy. Estradiol known protect from effects oxidative stress as well telomerase activity, enzyme that maintains TL. Future research should explore potential role estradiol other pathways trade-offs aging within among human populations.