Key points from article :
Researchers shown that castration of male sheep delays aging of DNA compared to intact males.
Generated an epigenetic clock from large numbers of sheep so they could measure DNA aging.
The longer lives of castrated sheep is reflected in their DNA.
"We developed a way to measure biological age in a broad range of mammals," - Steve Horvath, study co-author.
"Findings provide new avenues to understand male-accelerated aging," - Tim Hore, research team co-leader
"Despite being male, the castrates had very feminine characteristics at specific DNA sites," - Hore.
"Sites most affected by castration bind to receptors of male hormones in humans at a much greater rate," - Hore.
Provides a clear link between castration, male hormones and sex-specific differences in DNA aging.
Large differences observed in tissues with male hormone receptors.
"Found sex-specific aging effects in the DNA of sheep skin. And this appeared to be also true for mouse," - Hore.
Research by University of Otago published in eLife.
