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Telomeres are lengthened in women when their eggs are made, while still in their mother's wombs. Men are constantly lengthening telomeres in the cells that form
by tathougies 10y ago
Telomeres are lengthened in women when their eggs are made, while still in their mother's wombs. Men are constantly lengthening telomeres in the cells that form sperm. This is one reason why children of older men tend to live longer. Of course, this benefit only really comes from fathers in their late twenties, because otherwise other paterrnal-age-related pathologies can outweigh the benefits.
- echelon 10y agoI wasn't aware of a higher paternal age ever being a good thing. Are there papers or articles on this? What's the "sweet spot" before genetic mutations in the germ line become a problem?
- themartorana 10y agoI'm hoping it's some time after 36 for no particular reason...
- tathougies 10y agoOh hadn't seen this comment. Here's a BBC article which talks about some of the research: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-18392873 http://www.bbc.com/news/health-18392873 Of course high paternal age also has other risks, but there's a sweet spot sometime between 25 and 30.