"Here, using data from mammalian species housed in zoos and aquariums worldwide, we show that ongoing hormonal contraception and permanent surgical sterilization are associated with increased life expectancy. These effects occur in both males and females, although the sexes are differently protected from specific causes of death. Evidence of improved survival in males is also restricted to castration, with stronger effects occurring after pre-pubertal surgery."
"Complementary meta-analyses of published data reveal improved survival with sterilization across vertebrates and increased healthspan in gonadectomized rodents. Improved survival occurs in laboratory and wild environments, and with female sterilization approaches that either remove the ovaries or leave them intact. Reported increases in survival in castrated men7,8,9 resemble the effects in other species, whereas survival of women is slightly decreased after permanent surgical sterilization."
Ongoing hormonal contraception and permanent surgical sterilization correlate with increased life expectancy in mammalian species housed in zoos and aquariums. Increased survival occurs in both males and females, but the sexes receive different protection from specific causes of death. Improved survival in males is mainly linked to castration and is stronger when surgery occurs before puberty. Meta-analyses show sterilization increases survival across vertebrates and enhances healthspan in gonadectomized rodents. Improved survival appears in laboratory and wild environments and after female sterilization whether ovaries are removed or preserved. The hormonal drive to reproduce constrains adult survival across vertebrates.
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