New research has identified four genes that, if altered, could impact the age at which menopause occurs. These genes (ETAA1, ZNF518A, PNPLA8, and PALB2) were found to cause women to experience menopause two to 5.5 years earlier if they have only one functioning copy. The study, conducted by scientists from the Universities of Exeter, Cambridge, and Wellcome, was published in Nature.
Understanding these genetic changes is crucial for potential therapies to extend reproductive lifespan and plan for the impact of menopause on women’s career and life plans. The study also found links between these genetic changes and cancer risk, highlighting the importance of further research in this area.
These genetic changes can lead to the DNA damage of eggs, affecting the age at which menopause occurs. The study analyzed data from 106,973 postmenopausal women and found that rare genetic changes have a significant impact on the age at menopause. These changes not only shed light on menopause but also provide insight into disease risks.
Dr. Stasha Stankovic, Dr. Hilary Martin, and Professor John Perry, members of the research team, emphasized the importance of understanding ovarian function for reproductive health and disease prevention. They hope that further research in this area will lead to new treatments for ovarian-centered diseases and help predict age at menopause more accurately.
The study also revealed that changes in a mother’s DNA can impact the DNA passed on to her child, showing a link between genetic mutations and the rate of DNA changes. This discovery is significant in understanding the biological mechanisms behind infertility, reproductive disorders, and disease predisposition.
About our experts
Dr. Stasha Stankovic is a reproductive geneticist with a PhD in Reproductive Genomics from the University of Cambridge. Her research has been published in top scientific journals such as Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics, and Cell Genomics.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
