Reproduction has immediate effects on female mortality, but no discernible lasting physiological impacts: A test of the disposable soma theory

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Mitchell, Sharon E.; Simpson, Megan; Coulet, Lena; Gouedard, Solenn; Hambly, Catherine; Morimoto, Juliano; Allison, David B.; Speakman, John R.
• 署名单位: University of Aberdeen; Institut Agro; University of Aberdeen; Universidade Federal do Parana; Indiana University System; Indiana University Bloomington; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, CAS; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Institute of Genetics & Developmental Biology, CAS; China Medical University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-14626
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408682121
• 发表日期: 2024-10-15
• 关键词: oxidative damage; antioxidant defense; energy-expenditure; trade-off; LIFE; senescence; tissue; cost; performance; EVOLUTION

摘要

The disposable soma theory (DST) posits that organisms age and die because of a direct trade- off in resource allocation between reproduction and somatic maintenance. DST predicts that investments in reproduction accentuate somatic damage which increase senescence and shortens lifespan. Here, we directly tested DST predictions in breeding and nonbreeding female C57BL/6J mice. We measured reproductive outputs, body composition, daily energy expenditure, and oxidative stress at peak lactation and over lifetime. We found that reproduction had an immediate and negative effect on survival due to problems encountered during parturition for some females. However, there was no statistically significant residual effect on survival once breeding had ceased, indicating no trade- off with somatic maintenance. Instead, higher mortality appeared to be a direct consequence of reproduction without long- term physiological consequences. Reproduction did not elevate oxidative stress. Our findings do not provide support for the predictions of the DST.