Class
Article
College
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Faculty Mentor
Jeffrey Mason
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
At a young age, both males and females have comparable health. Once women go through menopause, their ovaries become senescent and the risk of health-related diseases tremendously increases. While it has been noted that reproduction has an influence on health, this research uses that influence of reproduction to increase the life and health span of aged mice. The transplantation of young ovaries into aged mice showed a tremendous increase in life span. Germ cell depleted young transplant ovaries increased life span further and potentially health span. We believe that the communication and reprogramming of the somatic cells by the germ cells allows the ovaries to support the organism and increase health. Three different age groups are being used as the controls, aged – currently 800-900 days old, middle – currently 600-700 days old, and young – currently 200-300 days old. All of which have their original ovaries. The treated group contains middle aged mice with young transplanted ovaries that contain both germ and somatic cells. Middle aged mice with young transplanted ovaries that have been germ cell depleted (no germ cells) are also part of the treatment group. Each mouse will go though several health span assays associated with several post-menopausal declines in health. Metabolism, immunity, muscle and bone, cardiovascular and cognition assays will be analyzed comparing germ cell containing and germ cell depleted ovary mice as well as their relation to non-transplanted aged, middle, and young mice. The germ cell depleted young ovaries are hypothesized to increase and return the health of all mentioned aspects compared to non-transplanted mice. Understanding and utilizing the reprogramming and communication between the somatic and germ cells is hoped to restore and improve the health aspects of post-menopausal human women in the future.
Location
Room 101
Start Date
4-12-2018 9:00 AM
End Date
4-12-2018 10:15 AM
Young germ cell depleted ovarian effects on post-menopausal health
Room 101
At a young age, both males and females have comparable health. Once women go through menopause, their ovaries become senescent and the risk of health-related diseases tremendously increases. While it has been noted that reproduction has an influence on health, this research uses that influence of reproduction to increase the life and health span of aged mice. The transplantation of young ovaries into aged mice showed a tremendous increase in life span. Germ cell depleted young transplant ovaries increased life span further and potentially health span. We believe that the communication and reprogramming of the somatic cells by the germ cells allows the ovaries to support the organism and increase health. Three different age groups are being used as the controls, aged – currently 800-900 days old, middle – currently 600-700 days old, and young – currently 200-300 days old. All of which have their original ovaries. The treated group contains middle aged mice with young transplanted ovaries that contain both germ and somatic cells. Middle aged mice with young transplanted ovaries that have been germ cell depleted (no germ cells) are also part of the treatment group. Each mouse will go though several health span assays associated with several post-menopausal declines in health. Metabolism, immunity, muscle and bone, cardiovascular and cognition assays will be analyzed comparing germ cell containing and germ cell depleted ovary mice as well as their relation to non-transplanted aged, middle, and young mice. The germ cell depleted young ovaries are hypothesized to increase and return the health of all mentioned aspects compared to non-transplanted mice. Understanding and utilizing the reprogramming and communication between the somatic and germ cells is hoped to restore and improve the health aspects of post-menopausal human women in the future.