Androgens shape more than just male traits—they may also influence the pace of aging. A recent study found that an epigenetic predictor called the androgen clock can precisely track cumulative androgen exposure, offering new insights into how these hormones affect biological aging.
To develop this model, researchers analyzed DNA methylation, a chemical modification that regulates gene activity and changes with age. They studied male-specific DNA methylation patterns in sheep and mice, identifying genetic sites that gradually lost methylation in males while remaining stable in females. Using this pattern, they created a clock that accurately estimates androgen exposure and tested whether altering hormone levels could change its ticking rate.
They found that supplementing female mice with androgens accelerated the clock while removing androgens in male sheep through castration halted it altogether. The model estimated the duration of androgen exposure in both species with an accuracy of a few months, indicating that androgens directly influence epigenetic aging and can precisely regulate this process.
These findings indicate that the androgen clock may be an effective tool for investigating how sex hormones influence aging. Learn more about epigenetic aging in this episode featuring Dr. Steve Horvath, one of the investigators involved in this study.
Nearly 2 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a contributing factor. These synthetic chemicals, found in food packaging, household products, and personal care items, are known endocrine disruptors that persist in the body and increase the risk of cancer, liver damage, and immune system dysfunction. Recent research suggests that PFAS in drinking water may elevate the risk of cancers affecting the mouth and throat as well as the digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.
Researchers collected data on PFAS levels in U.S. public drinking water systems and county-level cancer rates from 2016 to 2021. Then, using statistical analysis, they estimated the number of cancer cases attributable to PFAS exposure.
They found that PFAS in drinking water was associated with increased cancer rates in the digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth/throat systems, with risk increases of up to 33%. Among men, PFAS exposure was linked to higher rates of leukemia and cancers of the urinary tract, brain, and soft tissues, while among women, it was associated with thyroid, mouth/throat, and soft tissue cancers. Their analysis estimated that PFAS in drinking water contributes to approximately 4,600 to 6,900 new cancer cases annually, depending on the dataset used.
These findings highlight the potential risks of PFAS exposure. Because PFAS are present in plastics, microplastics are a significant source of exposure. Learn more about PFAS and microplastics in our overview article.
Strict vegetarian diets are gaining popularity, but concerns remain about their safety during pregnancy. A recent study found that pregnant women following strict vegetarian diets are 2.7 times more likely to have a small-for-gestational-age infant, with their newborns weighing an average of 240 grams (about half a pound) less at birth.
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies involving more than 72,000 participants. They examined key pregnancy outcomes, including birth weight, the risk of small-for-gestational-age infants, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and gestational weight gain.
They found that pregnant women adhering to strict vegetarian diets were 2.7 times more likely to have a small-for-gestational-age infant compared to those consuming animal products. Their infants also weighed, on average, 240 grams (approximately half a pound) less at birth. While strict vegetarian diets were linked to lower gestational weight gain, they did not affect the risk of gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorders.
These findings suggest that without careful planning, strict vegetarian diets during pregnancy increase the risk of inadequate fetal growth. Ensuring sufficient intake of essential nutrients—such as vitamin B12, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine—through supplementation or fortified foods could help reduce this risk. Learn more about how to have a healthy pregnancy in Aliquot #100: Optimizing for a Healthy Pregnancy & Early Childhood.