Reproductive Aging in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>: From Molecules to Ecology.

ABSTRACT: Aging animals display a broad range of progressive degenerative changes, and one of the most fascinating is the decline of female reproductive function. In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, hermaphrodites reach a peak of progeny production on day 2 of adulthood and then display a rapid decline; progeny production typically ends by day 8 of adulthood. Since animals typically survive until day 15 of adulthood, there is a substantial post reproductive lifespan. Here we review the molecular and cellular changes that occur during reproductive aging, including reductions in stem cell number and activity, slowing meiotic progression, diminished Notch signaling, and deterioration of germ line and oocyte morphology. Several interventions have been identified that delay reproductive

SUBMITTER: Scharf A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8481778 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature