Hydra loses its immortality after cold triggers switch to sexual reproduction
The freshwater polyp Hydra oligactis is essentially immortal and reproduces asexually by cloning itself. Except when it gets too cold: then the animal switches to sexual reproduction, begins to age, and eventually dies. A research team at the University of Innsbruck has now investigated the metabolic changes that accompany this process. One of the findings: the aging process is accompanied by a…
The freshwater polyp Hydra oligactis is renowned for its immortality, reproducing asexually by cloning itself under optimal conditions. However, cold temperatures trigger a switch to sexual reproduction, leading to aging and eventual death. A research team at the University of Innsbruck explored the metabolic changes accompanying this process.
They found that taurine levels, crucial for humans, decline sharply as Hydra oligactis ages. Taurine supplementation can reverse this aging process, triggering an anti-aging effect that halts the shift to sexual reproduction. The study, published in Aging Cell, reveals sex-specific metabolic changes and a significant decline in taurine during the aging process.
Additionally, gamete production is marked by extensive apoptosis, resulting in increased uric acid levels. This research establishes Hydra oligactis as a valuable model for aging studies, bridging the gap between primitive animals and vertebrates, including humans.
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