It is likely common knowledge that men generally live shorter lives than women, and that Black men have a shorter lifespan compared to men of other races. However, have you ever wondered why this is the case? Scientists have recently discovered a potential explanation for why men tend to have a shorter lifespan than women. Losing the "Y" Chromosome. This study is the most recent in examining the occurrence of "mosaic loss of Y" — a situation where the Y chromosome is absent from some of a man's blood cells.
The reason for this phenomenon is unknown to researchers, but it is linked to the aging process. Approximately 40% of men aged 70 show signs of it, and over half of those who reach their 90s experience it. Researchers once believed that the loss of the Y chromosome, described as "a small, stumpy chromosome," was a natural aspect of the aging process.
However, studies in recent years have associated the loss of Y chromosome with higher chances of developing conditions such as Alzheimer's, heart disease, and specific cancers, along with a reduced lifespan. However, those studies were unable to demonstrate whether the loss of chromosomes directly causes diseases or if it is simply an indication that other bodily processes are going wrong.
Study co-author Kenneth Walsh wonders whether the loss of Y is merely a sign of aging, similar to graying hair. According to his team's research, the absence of Y in blood cells in lab mice resulted in heart tissue being more susceptible to scarring and caused premature death.
According to Walsh, who leads the Hemat vascular Biology Center at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, the chromosome loss is not merely an observer but actively involved in the process. The Y chromosome is commonly recognized as a sex chromosome, with women having two X chromosomes and men having one X and one Y chromosome.
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