A large international study revealed that suppressing reproduction in mammals is linked to longer lifespans, often increasing life expectancy by approximately 10 percent. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from various institutions including the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, examined the correlation between reproduction and longevity across a wide range of mammalian species.

The study, published on January 16, 2026, found that the reasons for this increased lifespan differed between males and females. According to the researchers, castrated males often avoided the detrimental effects of testosterone, while females benefited from circumventing the intense physical demands associated with pregnancy and nursing. This suggests a fundamental biological trade-off between investing energy in reproduction and extending individual lifespan.

"These findings underscore a powerful evolutionary dynamic," said Dr. Anya Sharma, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Max Planck Institute. "The energy an animal invests in producing offspring is energy it cannot invest in maintaining its own body, and vice versa."

The implications of this research extend beyond basic biology. In many cultures around the world, animal husbandry practices, including castration, have been employed for centuries to manage livestock. While the primary motivation behind these practices is often to control breeding and modify behavior, the study suggests that they may also inadvertently contribute to increased lifespan in these animals.

Furthermore, the study raises questions about human reproductive health and longevity. While direct comparisons between humans and other mammals must be approached with caution, the findings highlight the potential impact of reproductive choices and hormonal factors on lifespan. In some societies, for example, women who have fewer children tend to live longer, although this is often influenced by a complex interplay of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.

Researchers are now focusing on identifying the specific genes and molecular pathways that mediate this trade-off between reproduction and lifespan. Understanding these mechanisms could potentially lead to interventions that promote healthy aging in both animals and humans. The team plans to conduct further studies to investigate the role of diet, environment, and social factors in modulating the relationship between reproduction and longevity across different mammalian populations globally.