Pregnancy May Accelerate Biological Ageing, Finds Study from Columbia University
Overview
Pregnancy may have an impact on a woman’s biological ageing process, according to a recent study conducted by scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York. The research, focused on reproductive histories and DNA samples from 1,735 participants in a long-term health survey in the Philippines, discovered a direct correlation between pregnancies and accelerated biological ageing in women.
Research Methodology and Findings
Using “epigenetic clocks” to estimate biological age based on DNA methylation patterns, the study found that each reported pregnancy in women was associated with an additional two to three months of biological ageing. Moreover, women who had more pregnancies during a six-year follow-up period demonstrated a greater increase in biological ageing during that time. The research team took into account factors such as socioeconomic status, smoking, genetic variation, and the built environment surrounding the participants to validate the relationship.
The study also examined the reproductive histories of 910 same-aged men from the same health survey. Surprisingly, the findings did not indicate any correlation between the number of pregnancies fathered and accelerated biological ageing.
Experts’ Insights and Significance of the Study
The lead author of the study, Calen Ryan, an associate research scientist in the Columbia Aging Center, stressed that the study’s results highlight pregnancy’s impact on biological ageing, particularly in young, high-fertility women. He underlined that pregnancies during late adolescence, a time of ongoing growth, might be particularly burdensome for women, particularly those with limited access to healthcare and resources. However, he also acknowledged that the long-term implications of accelerated epigenetic ageing are still poorly understood, and it remains uncertain how it may affect health or mortality in later life.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests a link between pregnancy and a hastened biological ageing process in women. It highlights an area of research that requires further exploration to fully understand the impact of pregnancy and reproduction on long-term health outcomes. The study’s findings contribute to the collective knowledge surrounding the ageing process, and underscore the need for additional investigations in this field.
