Genetically heterogeneous mice exhibit a female survival advantage that is age- and site-specific: Results from a large multi-site study.

ABSTRACT: The female survival advantage is a robust characteristic of human longevity. However, underlying mechanisms are not understood, and rodent models exhibiting a female advantage are lacking. Here, we report that the genetically heterogeneous (UM-HET3) mice used by the National Institute on Aging Interventions Testing Program (ITP) are such a model. Analysis of age-specific survival of 3,690 control ITP mice revealed a female survival advantage paralleling that of humans. As in humans, the female advantage in mice was greatest in early adulthood, peaking around 350 days of age and diminishing progressively thereafter. This persistent finding was observed at three geographically distinct sites and in six separate cohorts over a 10-year period. Because males weigh more than females and bodyweig

SUBMITTER: Cheng CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6516160 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature