Molecular basis of aging in relation to fertility Essay

Molecular basis of aging in relation to fertility - Essay Example age is defined as a progressive, time-dependent deterioration of an organisms capacity to respond to environmental changes, which eventuall(a)y makes it susceptible to death (Allen and Balin 4). It is a widely-accepted idea that aging is a natural swear out that occurs in all living organisms. Since the process of aging most likely would be affecting an organisms boilers suit body functions, it would in addition greatly affect its capacity to reproduce, eventually leading to a decrease or the loss of fertility of the said organism (Liu and Case 1169). At present, there are numerous golf links between chromosomal and desoxyribonucleic acid damage not just to the aging process of an organism just now also on fertility. A females capacity to c erstive and give birth, or a males capability to contribute in conceiving a child is called fertility (Masoro 161). In coif to proliferate the species tumefy into numerous an d succeeding generations, organisms must be able to produce as a great deal offspring as possible that are able to adapt to the current environment that they live on. For that to happen, the process called natural selection takes place (Torday and Rehan 12). Also, the energy that flows within the organism is appropriated in such a instruction that during the process of reproduction, most of the energy from the consumption of food is distributed to the bodys reproductive systems, mostly to the rapidly-dividing cells called the gametes. However, once the organism starts the process of aging, the energy being exerted for reproduction is reduced and more focus is given to the tutelage of the organisms body, especially when there is the presence of a rapid breakdown of cells as well as the decline of cell-to-cell communication within the systems and organs (13). Not only is the production of cells affected by aging, but also the process of deoxyribonucleic acid replication and repair as well. Due to the proliferation of damaged DNA especially in the sex cells of the organism, it would eventually contribute to the creation of deformed or dysfunctional oocytes or spermatozoa that would eventually be the cause of the loss of reproductive capability or sterility among aging organisms (Sikka 78). Among with child(predicate) women, the imbalance of antioxidants and pro-oxidants may result to oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could affect DNA production when in excess, or affect cell-signaling pathways when deficient (Dupont, Cordier and Junien 25). Also, due to the age-associated decline of female fertility pot be attributed to the abnormalities found in the oocytes themselves. Due to the abnormalities in the folding of the DNA and eventually, the abnormalities in the alignment of the chromosomes during pupillary reflex and diakinesis which can be attributed to the mutations in the microtubules, preimplantation of embryos or aneuploidy in the fertilized egg may cause spontaneous abortions among fourth-year pregnant females (The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (PCASRM) 248). Male fertility is also greatly affected by ROS, wherein the spermatozoa membranes would be highly-susceptible to oxygen damage due to the peroxidation of lipid membranes, damaging the sperm and rendering them incapable of fertilizing the ovum (Sikka 78). Also, the presence of errors in the DNA called nicks could also contribute to male infertility due to loosely-packed DNA and chromatin disorganization (Sakkas, Urner and Bizzaro 11). These nicks may be attributed to age-induced DNA