Scientists have theorized that naked mole rats may hold the key to eternal female fertility.
In most mammals, including humans, females are born with a limited number of eggs and become progressively less fertile with age. In contrast, naked mole rats are known for their ability to conceive offspring into old age.
In the past, it was unclear whether the subterranean rodents were born with an extraordinary number of eggs or whether they had a unique ability to produce new eggs as they grew older.
But a study by scientists from Cornell University and the University of Pittsburgh found they do both—and the team hopes that studying the rats’ genetic quirks will help develop treatments that can reverse menopause in women.
Naked mole rats can produce new eggs outside the womb, study finds (stock image)
Dr. Miguel Brieno-Enríquez, a gynecologist at the University of Pittsburgh and the study’s lead author, said: “The [find] is important because if we can figure out how to do this, we may be able to develop new drug targets or techniques to help human health.
“Although people are living longer, menopause still occurs at the same age.
“We hope that we can use what we learn from the naked mole rat to protect ovarian function later in life and prolong fertility.”
For the paper, the scientists compared ovaries from naked mole rats to those from mice.
By the age of eight days, a female naked mole rat has an average of 1.5 million eggs – almost 95 times more than mice of the same age.
Unlike mice, naked mole rats are also capable of producing new eggs after birth, with egg-bearing cells still dividing into new cells by age 10, the study found.
The experts said that this suggested egg production would likely continue throughout their 30-year lifespan.
Dr. Ned Place, a population health expert at Cornell University in New York and senior author of the study, said: “This finding is extraordinary.
“This challenges the dogma established almost 70 years ago that female mammals lay a finite number of eggs before or soon after birth, with no ovarian reserve added afterwards.”
Dr. Brieno-Enriquez added: “The ovary is more than just a baby factory. Ovarian health affects cancer risk, heart health and even longevity.
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“A better understanding of the ovary can help us find ways to improve overall health.”
Like bees or ants, naked mole rats live in colonies and share tasks such as defense, tunnel building, caring for young and foraging.
There is only a single dominant female – or queen – that produces eggs.
The challenging lifestyle has made her one of the most communicative creatures in the world.
Over millions of years of evolution, they shed things that drain their energy, such as fur.
They use their characteristic elastic “sac-like” skin to push through tunnels.
The ugly creature has fascinated doctors for decades. It is cancer resistant – and has the lowest metabolic rate of any mammal.
Evolution turned off everything that wasn’t absolutely necessary – including extra nerve receptors so it couldn’t feel pain.
Dr. Brieno-Enriquez added: “Naked mole rats are the strangest mammals.
“They are the longest living rodents, they almost never get cancer, they don’t feel pain like other mammals, they live in underground colonies – and only the queen can have babies.”
“But to me the most amazing thing is that they never stop having babies – their fertility does not decrease with age.” We want to understand how they do it.”
The research was published in Nature Communications.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
