Born young? Birth age is affected by thyroid hormones during pregnancy
A link to aging
The telomere biochemistry of humans is more similar to that of birds’ telomeres than traditional laboratory models. The telomeres of both birds and humans are measured using small blood samples in a minimally invasive manner.
The authors of the study expected shorter telomeres for chicks that were born from eggs that were injected with thyroid hormonal. However, they were surprised to discover that these chicks had longer telomeres immediately after birth.
The molecular mechanisms behind such effects are yet to be determined, but the new findings suggest prenatal thyroid hormones may play a role in determining the \”biological age\” at birth.
Health and longevity later in life are affected by the environment that mothers provide during embryonic development. The effects of the mother’s environment on embryo development can have a major impact on health and lifespan later in life. Telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes, are a measure of biological age.
Telomeres are normally shorter with age. However, short telomeres can predict increased disease and mortality risk. Previous studies have shown that prenatal exposure to stress hormones from mothers and instability during embryonic development can lead to short telomeres. Cellular aging is accelerated.
The Turku Collegium for Science and Medicine and the Academy of Finland funded a new study that used egg injection to manipulate prenatal exposure of maternal thyroid hormones in an avian-model.
Source:
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-born-young-prenatal-thyroid-hormones.html
