Men are losing the Y Chromosome, Study Claims: What it Means for Men's Health?
As we were taught at school, we have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. A chromosome is a thread-like structure in cells and is made up of our genetic material. Most biological males have both an X and a Y chromosome in their cells at birth. On the other hand, the majority of females do not possess a Y chromosome and instead have two X chromosomes present in each cell. The Y chromosome determines the biological sex of a person. That is to say, its presence or absence dictates whether you are a biological male or a female. If it is present, then you are a male and generally have male reproductive features.
Scientists have known for a long time that the Y chromosome has been on a decline for millions of years. The X chromosome has 900 protein-coding genes, while Y has only 100 protein-coding genes; that wasn't always the case when the Y chromosome started as rich as its counterpart, though it would through a slow and gradual denigration because it exists in ‘singularity’. All the other genes have a ‘copy’ or a ‘pair’, Y does not, rendering it unable for genetic recombination. A study published in the journal suggests the Y chromosome could disappear in around 11 million years. Meaning, after it completely disappears humans might have to find a new way of reproducing.
-1750249367618.jpg "X Y chromosomes")
Even though 11 million years is a long time in any stretch of imagination, the study suggests that the gradual decline of the Y chromosome in men poses some immediate threats as well. A study done in a long term study done in Sweden found out that some men had already begun losing the Y chromosome at around age fifty. The study also suggests that it not only means that those men may not be able to have ‘male children’ but it also says that the absence of the Y chromosome made them more susceptible to various diseases. It said that men who lost Y chromosomes had a higher risk of Alzheimer’s, heart diseases, and died on an average of 5 years less than the men who did not suffer from the loss.
UTY, a gene present on the Y chromosome, helps regulate the immune system in men. After the chromosome is gone, so are the genes, and it has a negative effect on the immune system. Some of the immune cells start producing more scar tissue, declining the body’s ability to fight cancer and other diseases effectively.
While tampering with evolution is an impossible task as of now, there are a few measures one can take to, at the very least, slow down the loss of Y chromosomes. And it is by following a healthy lifestyle. Below are some key actions you can take for a healthier, longer life.
: In today’s work a sedentary lifestyle is inevitably tempting but you can actively maintain a good and balanced diet to make sure your metabolism remains healthy.
: Habits like smoking and excessive drinking exaggerate the damage done to the immune system and pose deadly risks.
: Exercising and an optimal amount of quality rest also help develop a better immune system and slow down aging as proven by ample evidence in medical research.
The ever dwindling Y chromosome poses a lot of questions that only future generations will find out. Would there be lesser male babies born in the future? Will the human race eventually come to a halt? Will humans be able to create an alternative for the natural process of reproduction? We don’t know yet. For now though, it is important to remember not to panic and that evolution has its own mysterious ways.
