Dataset Information

Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT: C. elegans hermaphrodites display dramatic age-related decline of reproduction early in life, while somatic functions are still robust. To understand reproductive aging, we analyzed the assembly line of oocyte production that generates fertilized eggs. Aging germlines displayed both sporadic and population-wide changes. A small fraction of aging animals displayed endomitotic oocytes in the germline and other defects. By contrast, all animals displayed age-related decreases in germline size and function. As early as day 3 of adulthood, animals displayed fewer stem cells and a slower cell cycle, which combine to substantially decrease progenitor zone output. The C. elegans germline is the only adult tissue that contains stem cells, allowing the analysis of stem cells in aging. To investigate the mechanism of the decrease in stem cell number, we analyzed the Notch signaling pathway. The Notch effectors LST-1 and SYGL-1 displayed age-related decreases in expression domains, suggesting a role for Notch signaling in germline aging. The results indicate that although sporadic defects account for the sterility of some animals, population-wide changes account for the overall pattern of reproductive aging.

SUBMITTER: Kocsisova Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6503983 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in <i>C. elegans</i>.

Kocsisova Zuzana Z Kornfeld Kerry K Schedl Tim T

Development (Cambridge, England) 20190423 8

<i>C. elegans</i> hermaphrodites display dramatic age-related decline of reproduction early in life, while somatic functions are still robust. To understand reproductive aging, we analyzed the assembly line of oocyte production that generates fertilized eggs. Aging germlines displayed both sporadic and population-wide changes. A small fraction of aging animals displayed endomitotic oocytes in the germline and other defects. By contrast, all animals displayed age-related decreases in germline siz ...[more]

PMID: 30936182

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Project description:Declines in cognitive functioning are commonly experienced with aging, yet there is wide variation in the nature and extent of these changes. Previous research has shown associations between the frequency of engaging in stimulating cognitive activities and performance on cognitive tests. However, it is not known whether it is important to increase the amount of cognitive activity as one gets older in order to curtail cognitive declines. We examined cognitive activities and cognition in a national sample of 2,130 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults from the Midlife in the United States longitudinal study. Participants completed cognitive assessments of episodic memory (EM) and executive functioning (EF) on two occasions, ~9 years apart. At the first assessment, participants ranged in age between 33 and 83 years (M = 55.76, SD = 11.09), with 56.1% women. Multilevel models were tested to examine educational level and change in cognitive activity as predictors of change in EM and EF, controlling for initial level of cognitive activity and key correlates of cognitive decline. Results indicated that increases in cognitive activity were important over and above earlier levels of cognitive activity for reducing declines in EF. Further analysis also showed differential results by educational level. Increased cognitive activity was not associated with changes in EF among individuals with a college degree. In contrast, individuals without a college degree who increased their cognitive activity showed significantly less decline in EF compared to those without a college degree who decreased or maintained their cognitive activity across the 9 years. Thus, the results suggest that increased engagement in cognitive activity makes more of a difference for EF declines among those without a college degree. The results have particular relevance given that aging-related changes in domains such as work status, health, or social relationships can lead to reductions in stimulating cognitive activities. The findings emphasize the importance of increasing cognitive activities especially among those with lower educational attainment.

Dataset Information

Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in C. elegans.

Publications

Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in <i>C. elegans</i>.

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Dataset Information

Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in C. elegans.

Publications

Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in &lt;i&gt;C. elegans&lt;/i&gt;.

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OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Rapid population-wide declines in stem cell number and activity during reproductive aging in <i>C. elegans</i>.