Scientists finally managed to find a solution reason explanation dogs Bigger ones have a shorter lifespan than smaller ones.. Selective breeding for size based on the results achievedLarge breeds are more susceptible to cancer.
Experts from the University of Adelaide (Australia) developed a study plan to find the reasons for differences in life expectancy in 164 dog breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes.
Dogs on average Large breeds usually live between 8 and 10 years, while small breeds live up to 15. and in some cases, according to experts, the number approaches 20.
“When we analyzed these data sets, we found that: Larger dogs were more likely to die from cancer at a younger age “Compared to smaller dogs,” said Jack da Silva from the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences.
“Larger dogs do not necessarily age faster than smaller breeds“However, studies have shown that cancer rates increase as the breed’s average body weight increases,” he added.
“The relationship between a dog’s body size and lifespan May be due to an evolutionary delay in the body’s defenses against cancerAccording to this researcher, it has not kept pace with the rapid and recent selective breeding of larger dogs.”
Study published in the journal American Naturalistfound that shorter lifespans are consistent with a theory of aging known as life history optimization, or “disposable soma.”
Either grow or prepare a defense
“This theory is based on the idea that: If you invest most of your resources and energy in growth and reproduction, you fail to also invest in cellular repair and defense against cancer.. In all organisms, there is a focus on maintenance and repair of the body and early reproduction, even at the expense of living longer,” said da Silva.
The results could also be useful for studying aging in humans, he said.
“Dogs represent a good model for studying aging in humans. Dogs, like humans living in the industrialized world, live in an environment that tends to protect them from accidental and infectious causes of death and therefore, more likely to die from age-related diseases such as cancer“, indicates the researcher.
Although the results of this study raise concern among large dog owners, Researchers predict that larger breeds will gradually evolve to develop better cancer-fighting genes.
“Most of the nearly 400 dog breeds we know today have emerged in the last 200 years. Larger dogs haven’t had time to develop better defense mechanisms against cancer appropriate to their size. This could still happen, but at the expense of reproduction,” da Silva explained.
The teacher guesses that Larger breeds will adapt and extend their lifespans, but according to aging theory they are more likely to have smaller offspring in the future.
“This can happen naturally or through selective breeding, breeding larger dogs that have lower cancer rates and therefore live longer,” he said.
This research was the result of a year-long comparative analysis study using published data on dog breeds from around the world.
Professor da Silva is currently investigating the link between litter size, cancer rates and life expectancy in dogs and other mammals.
Reference work: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/724384
……..
Contact address of the environmental department:krisclimatica@prensaiberica.es
Source: Informacion
James Sean is a writer for “Social Bites”. He covers a wide range of topics, bringing the latest news and developments to his readers. With a keen sense of what’s important and a passion for writing, James delivers unique and insightful articles that keep his readers informed and engaged.