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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: January 7, 2013

Sex and life expectancy.

Joshua E Seifarth¹, Cheri L McGowan, Kevin J Milne

¹Faculty of Human Kinetics, Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Gender Medicine

|November 21, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Females live longer than males due to a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic and physiological differences. Understanding these mechanisms is key to developing strategies for healthy aging in both sexes.

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Area of Science:

Biology
Genetics
Physiology

Background:

A persistent sexual dimorphism in human life expectancy, with females living longer than males, is observed globally.
This longevity gap is influenced by multifaceted sociological and biological factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and highlight the biological mechanisms contributing to the sexual dimorphism in human life expectancy.
To explore the biological underpinnings of the female advantage in longevity.

Main Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar.
Relevant English-language articles published up to August 2012 were identified, reviewed, and synthesized.

Main Results:

Biological differences between sexes include genetic factors (e.g., X chromosome inactivation, mitochondrial inheritance) and physiological factors (e.g., hormonal responses, immune function, metabolism).
These biological factors likely contribute, at least partially, to the observed female advantage in life expectancy.
The relative importance of individual factors remains challenging to ascertain due to the complexity of human life.

Conclusions:

Despite societal factors, a biological basis for the sex difference in life expectancy exists.
Several biological mechanisms may explain why females tend to live longer than males.
Further research into these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective healthy aging strategies for both sexes.