Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Menopause01:28

Menopause

5.0K
Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
5.0K
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

48.0K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
48.0K
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

32.8K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
32.8K
Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

Eukaryotic Evolution

40.9K
The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...
40.9K
Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

3.8K
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral...
3.8K
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

9.1K
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
9.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Surgery and minimally invasive treatments for uterine fibroids.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2025
Same author

Investigating abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive aged women.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2022
Same author

Premature ovarian insufficiency: a toolkit for the primary care physician.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2021
Same author

Variation in menopausal vasomotor symptoms outcomes in clinical trials: a systematic review.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2019
Same author

The neurokinin B pathway in the treatment of menopausal hot flushes.

Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2018
Same author

Will the development of a core outcome set on prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage add value to research or clinical care?

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology·2018

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution
08:11

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

1.4K

The evolution of the human menopause.

M A Lumsden1, J Sassarini2

  • 1a Department of Reproductive and Maternal Medicine , University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK.

Climacteric : the Journal of the International Menopause Society
|February 5, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Human females, like Orca whales, experience menopause and extended post-reproductive lifespans. Older females offer survival advantages, highlighting the importance of women's health and fitness for healthy aging.

Keywords:
Evolutionagingchronic diseasehealthmenopause

More Related Videos

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
12:02

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase

Published on: May 29, 2008

10.1K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Protein Engineering – Harnessing Evolution Through PRANCE and Lab Automation
05:08

Author Spotlight: Advancing Protein Engineering – Harnessing Evolution Through PRANCE and Lab Automation

Published on: January 12, 2024

2.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution
08:11

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

1.4K
Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
12:02

Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase

Published on: May 29, 2008

10.1K
Author Spotlight: Advancing Protein Engineering – Harnessing Evolution Through PRANCE and Lab Automation
05:08

Author Spotlight: Advancing Protein Engineering – Harnessing Evolution Through PRANCE and Lab Automation

Published on: January 12, 2024

2.2K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Gerontology
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Most species' females die post-reproduction, unlike humans and Orca whales.
  • Orca whale studies reveal stable social structures and post-reproductive female roles.
  • Human females experience a significant post-reproductive lifespan, a rare trait.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary significance of the extended post-reproductive lifespan in human females.
  • To investigate the potential survival advantages conferred by older females, using Orca whales as a model.
  • To emphasize the importance of women's health and lifestyle interventions for healthy aging.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of reproductive strategies in humans and Orca whales.
  • Observational data on Orca pod leadership and survival during food scarcity.
  • Review of global trends in female lifespan and health challenges.

Main Results:

  • Human females share the trait of surviving long past menopause with Orca whales.
  • Older Orca females demonstrate leadership, potentially providing survival benefits during food shortages.
  • Global increases in female lifespan are linked to reduced mortality and increased activity in older age.

Conclusions:

  • The extended post-reproductive lifespan in females may offer kin survival advantages.
  • Promoting women's fitness and lifestyle interventions is crucial for preventing chronic diseases.
  • Healthcare professionals should encourage healthy aging strategies for women.