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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print 1 citation

PubMed: 41372417 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09836-9

Sterilization and contraception increase lifespan across vertebrates.

Nature

Authors: Michael Garratt, Malgorzata Lagisz, Johanna Staerk, Christine Neyt, Michael B Stout, José V V Isola, Veronica B Cowl, Nannette Driver-Ruiz, Ashley D Franklin, Monica M McDonald, David M Powell, Susan L Walker, Jean-Michel Gaillard, Dalia A Conde, Jean-François Lemaître, Fernando Colchero, Shinichi Nakagawa

Affiliations

  • Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
  • Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
  • Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
  • Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
  • EAZA Reproductive Management Group, Chester Zoo, Chester, UK.
  • European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Species360, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
  • AZA Reproductive Management Center, Saint Louis Zoo, St Louis, MO, USA.
  • Department of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St Louis, MO, USA.
  • Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive UMR 5558, CNRS, Université Lyon, Villeurbanne, France.
  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
  • Collobration for Open Science and Synthesis in Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Abstract

Reproduction is hypothesized to constrain lifespan 1,2 and contribute to sex differences in ageing 3-5. Various sterilization and contraception methods inhibit reproduction, but predictions differ for how these influence survival, depending on sex 5, how sex hormones are affected 4 and species life history 6. Here, using data from mammalian species housed in zoos and aquariums worldwide, we show that ongoing hormonal contraception and permanent surgical sterilization are associated with increased life expectancy. These effects occur in both males and females, although the sexes are differently protected from specific causes of death. Evidence of improved survival in males is also restricted to castration, with stronger effects occurring after pre-pubertal surgery. Complementary meta-analyses of published data reveal improved survival with sterilization across vertebrates and increased healthspan in gonadectomized rodents. Improved survival occurs in laboratory and wild environments, and with female sterilization approaches that either remove the ovaries or leave them intact. Reported increases in survival in castrated men 7-9 resemble the effects in other species, whereas survival of women is slightly decreased after permanent surgical sterilization. Thus the hormonal drive to reproduce constrains adult survival across vertebrates, regardless of the environment in which an animal resides.

MeSH

Sterilization, Contraception, Sex, Environment