Gee, thanks Vaughn for that info. Since posting the original message I
came across a paper by Pamela Larsen of MIT (PNAS 90: 8905-8909, 1993)
demonstrating age-related elevated levels of SOD and catalase in C
elegans. This is thus consistent with the idea that aging is related
to oxidative damage.
I'm interested in this question from the point of view of mitochondrial
DNA alterations and control of oxidative stress in male infertility:
many "unexplained" cases of spermatogenenic failure look like premature
testicular aging. As male infertility is characterised by defective
oxidative phosphorylation and sperm dysfunction caused by free
radical-induced lipid peroxidation, the mtDNA story looks like being an
interesting one linking age and reproductive function. Maybe
reproductive decline with age is genetically pre-programmed? I've got a
review coming out shortly: be happy to attach a copy to anyone
interested: e mail me directly.
Jim Cummins
School of Veterinary Studies
Murdoch University
Western Australia 6150 Tel +61-9-360 2668 Fax +61-9-310 4144
For every complex problem there's a simple solution. And it's wrong!
