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Published on: July 16, 2009
Primate reproductive aging: from lemurs to humans
Sylvia Atsalis1, Susan Margulis
1Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614-4757, USA. satsalis@lpzoo.org
Interdisciplinary Topics in Gerontology
|June 5, 2008
Summary
Female primate reproduction is complex, influenced by many factors. Age-related reproductive instability and declines in success are common across species, with some showing menopause-like changes.
Area of Science:
- Primate reproductive biology
- Comparative gerontology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Extensive long-term data from field and captive primate studies are now available.
- Investigating age-related reproductive patterns offers insights into aging processes.
- Cross-taxonomic studies including lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans are valuable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related patterns of reproduction in female primates.
- To explore the complexities and dynamics of female reproductive lifespans.
- To compare reproductive aging across diverse primate taxa.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing long-term field and captive study data.
- Comparative analysis across various primate groups (lemurs, monkeys, apes, humans).
- Examination of reproductive output, success, and hormonal changes with age.
Main Results:
- Female primate reproduction is complex and dynamic, influenced by multiple factors.
- Reproductive instability and perimenopausal-like hormonal changes are common with age.
- Age-related declines include reduced success in rearing young, decreased sexual activity, and lower birth rates in various species.
Conclusions:
- Reproductive aging in female primates is a dynamic process with species-specific variations.
- Evidence suggests an evolutionary continuum of reproductive aging, potentially including menopause.
- A postreproductive lifespan may exist in apes and some Old World monkeys, though further wild data is needed.
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