First published: 25th June 2024
In March, First Lady Jill Biden announced a groundbreaking White House women’s health initiative, putting the spotlight on a research question that could revolutionise our understanding of aging: What if you could delay menopause and reduce the health risks associated with it? This question is central to a burgeoning field of research that is uncovering the critical role the female reproductive system plays in overall health.
The Crucial Role of Ovaries in Women’s Health
Historically, ovaries have been viewed primarily as organs for reproduction. However, scientists are discovering that they have far-reaching impacts on a woman’s health beyond their reproductive function. The ovaries, through hormones like estrogen and progesterone, influence virtually every organ system in the body. When ovarian function ceases at menopause, it accelerates aging and contributes to a host of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline.
“The ovaries are the only organ in humans that we just accept will fail one day,” said Renee Wegrzyn, director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), which is leading this initiative. This acceptance is precisely what the new initiative aims to challenge, as prolonging ovarian function could potentially alter the course of women’s health and longevity.
The White House Initiative and Funding
The White House initiative, with a $100 million budget, aims to highlight the connection between menopause and longevity. Researchers and startups are competing for a slice of this funding to explore innovative ways to delay menopause. “If you don’t think about ovarian function during aging,” said Jennifer Garrison, an assistant professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, “then you’re kind of missing the boat.”
How the Ovaries Influence Aging
Dr. Garrison describes the ovaries as the control centre of a complex network of signalling in a woman’s body. Through various hormones and chemicals, the ovaries communicate with other organs, influencing their function. When ovarian function declines, as seen in conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it increases the risk for metabolic issues, heart disease, and mental health problems. As women age and enter menopause, this decline leads to increased risks for dementia, cardiovascular disease, and other age-related conditions.
Research on Prolonging Ovarian Function
There is some evidence, mostly from animal studies, suggesting that prolonging ovarian function can improve health and increase longevity. For instance, transplanting an ovary from a younger mouse to an older one has been shown to extend the older mouse’s life. Researchers are now exploring various methods to delay menopause in humans.
One company, Oviva Therapeutics, is testing whether a pharmaceutical version of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) can reduce the number of eggs lost during each menstrual cycle. By preserving more eggs, the aim is to extend the ovaries' functional lifespan. Another study at Columbia University is testing the use of an immunosuppressive drug, rapamycin, known for its potential longevity benefits, to see if it can slow the rate at which women lose their eggs.
Broader Implications for Longevity Research
The accelerated decline of the ovaries during midlife makes them an ideal model for studying aging. Researchers can observe the effects of treatments on ovarian function within a relatively short timeframe, providing insights that might be applicable to the broader field of aging.
Understanding why ovaries age prematurely could reveal critical information about aging in the rest of the body. "If we can understand why ovaries age prematurely and what’s driving that, that will almost certainly tell us something important about aging in the rest of the body,” Dr. Garrison said. This knowledge could have significant implications for both women and men.
Conclusion
Delaying menopause represents a promising frontier in women's health and longevity research. By prolonging ovarian function, scientists hope to reduce the incidence of age-related diseases and enhance the quality of life for women as they age. The White House initiative, spearheaded by First Lady Jill Biden, underscores the importance of this research and its potential to transform our understanding of aging and health. As researchers continue to explore this field, the future may hold new possibilities for extending not only the lifespan but also the health-span of women worldwide.
Comments