Source: Medical Xpress
A new study from the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation’s Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies reveals that retaining gonad function may protect against frailty-related mortality in later life. Published in Scientific Reports, the research highlights the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which regulates testosterone production, in mitigating the lethality of frailty. Led by Dr. David J. Waters, the study used data from the Exceptional Aging in Rottweilers Study, analyzing aging male dogs with varying durations of testis exposure.
Results showed that dogs with longer gonad exposure experienced fewer negative outcomes from frailty. This interdisciplinary research, involving experts in Veterinary medicine, sociology, and gerontology, suggests that maintaining hormonal balance could enhance resilience to aging’s adverse effects. The findings not only expand understanding of frailty in both dogs and humans but also introduce dogs as valuable models for studying healthy longevity and endocrine function in aging.
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