Castration delays aging

[JesusA (imported)]

A new article published yesterday fits well with some of the discussion on the EA. Eighteen medical researchers have their names as authors of a large study looking at the cellular-level effects of castration of sheep. (The lead authors are in New Zealand, hence sheep.) They found cellular mechanisms that delayed aging which could explain why castrated males live longer than either intact males or females. While their research was only on sheep, the implications are fascinating. The article is open source, so you can go to the DOI site and download your own PDF copy of it.

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Sugrue, Victoria J., et al. 2021. Castration delays epigenetic aging and feminizes DNA methylation at androgen- regulated loci. eLife. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.64932

Abstract: In mammals, females generally live longer than males. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underpinning sex-dependent longevity are currently unclear. Epigenetic clocks are powerful biological biomarkers capable of precisely estimating chronological age and identifying novel factors influencing the aging rate using only DNA methylation data. In this study, we developed the first epigenetic clock for domesticated sheep (Ovis aries), which can predict chronological age with a median absolute error of 5.1 months. We have discovered that castrated male sheep have a decelerated aging rate compared to intact males, mediated at least in part by the removal of androgens. Furthermore, we identified several androgen-sensitive CpG dinucleotides that become progressively hypomethylated with age in intact males, but remain stable in castrated males and females. Comparable sex-specific methylation differences in MKLN1 also exist in bat skin and a range of mouse tissues that have high androgen receptor expression, indicating that it may drive androgen-dependent hypomethylation in divergent mammalian species. In characterizing these sites, we identify biologically plausible mechanisms explaining how androgens drive male- accelerated aging.

[seanthomas (imported)]

I've been castrated for over five year and have been told often how I "don't look my age". Low dose estradiol has probably helped as well as it appears to soften the skin and reduce facial wrinkles.

[Poor_pup_no_balls (imported)]

Every few years a new study and new article makes the rounds. I'm always hoping it will lead to a broader discussion and actual advancement but I don't see it happening.

[Valery_V (imported)]

For a while, at the age of 42, I practiced tae kwon do in a mixed age group (14 to 45 years old). At the general formation of the group, the coach (he knew everything about me) assigned me a place in the first row. They praised me for a good stretch. The guys told me that I was not 42 years old, but only 24. I, of course, did not participate in competitions ...

[justapup (imported)]

That was an interesting read ^.^

I know it has only been 12 weeks, but the person I see in the mirror has been changing. My husband says that I don't look any different, but looking in a mirror for 30 years, I to myself look way more androgynous than I used to. It is neat to find out what is actually being affected by the lack of Testosterone.

[Valery_V (imported)]

That was an interesting read ^.^

I know it has only been 12 weeks, but the person I see in the mirror has been changing. My husband says that I don't look any different, but looking in a mirror for 30 years, I to myself look way more androgynous than I used to. It is neat to find out what is actually being affected by the lack of Testosterone.

12 weeks without testosterone could not affect your shape in any way (I understand that you joked). To be more androgenic does not mean that you do not grow old. Hold on without testosterone of 30 more years and you fill up a moneybox of scientific knowledge.

How the lack of testosterone actually affects the body has been repeatedly discussed on the forum.

[Valery_V (imported)]

I've been castrated for over fi

fty years ago. I looked much more young than the peers. Played sports only for maintenance of health. Sometimes injected testosterone.

Young guys (tae kwon do friends) often stayed at my house. It so happened that at the same time my peers came to me. Then young people were always surprised that they were my age.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

Maybe a couple of years ago I saw a video of some program where the young female host picked up this theme. She said it fascinated her and she wanted to talk about it. One of the guys on the stage came up with a really good answer for her. He asked what was the quality of life in the extra year? If castration got him, say, 12 extra years living like a 30 year old, then he would consider it. If it got him 12 extra years living like an 80 year old, then thank you but no thank you.

[erikboy (imported)]

If castration got him, say, 12 extra years living like a 30 year old, then he would consider it. If it got him 12 extra years living like an 80 year old, then thank you but no thank you.

Well, the earlier you get castrated the higher the life quality.

And also, his answer was too perfectionist. Living with some inabilities is not the end of life. Even blind people can live somewhat happy lives within their abilities. Being castrated is far less affecting disability than being blind.

[evolve (imported)]

I've been castrated for almost a year and a half now and my skin looks better than it did when I was in my 20s(I'm in my 40s now). I'm often mistaken for being at least 10 years younger.