Men Lose Y Chromosome With Age - Scientists Discover Possible Health Consequences | N1 Srbija

A growing body of research suggests that the loss of the Y chromosome, a phenomenon observed in aging men, may have significant and concerning health implications. While previously thought to be a simple marker of aging, new genetic evidence indicates a potential link between Y chromosome loss and various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular conditions.

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As some men age, certain cells in their body begin to lose the Y chromosome.

Scientists have noted for decades that as some men age, certain cells in their bodies begin to lose the Y chromosome. This loss is particularly prevalent in blood cells, with approximately 40% of men aged 70 showing this characteristic, a figure rising to 57% among 93-year-olds. While the Y chromosome is primarily known for determining sex and sperm function, its absence in some cells is now being scrutinized for broader roles.

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Among men aged 70, approximately 40 percent show loss of the Y chromosome in blood cells, and among 93-year-olds, this number rises to 57 percent.

Recent studies have provided compelling evidence for the detrimental effects of Y chromosome loss. Research in mice demonstrated that the absence of the Y chromosome in specialized immune cells within the heart led to cardiovascular dysfunction and mortality. Clinical investigations further suggest that older men experiencing Y chromosome loss are more susceptible to premature death and developing cancer.

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In 2022, a study showed that in mice, the absence of the Y chromosome in specialized immune cells in the heart led to cardiovascular disorders and death.

Further investigations in 2023 revealed that up to 40% of older men with bladder cancer lacked the Y chromosome in their tumors. This finding, coupled with the fact that men are up to five times more likely to develop bladder cancer than women, has led some scientists to suspect the Y chromosome plays a protective role. Preliminary evidence from 2025 indicates that immune cells without the Y chromosome are less effective at fighting cancer cells, suggesting a crucial function for the chromosome in immune system activity.

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In 2023, researchers discovered that up to 40 percent of older men with bladder cancer do not have the Y chromosome in their tumors.