MBL Study Links Maternal Age Effects to Epigenetics, Reversible Within 1 Generation
Updated
Updated · Mirage News · Aug 20
MBL Study Links Maternal Age Effects to Epigenetics, Reversible Within 1 Generation
3 articles · Updated · Mirage News · Aug 20
Summary
Marine Biological Laboratory researchers found maternal age effects in rotifers can reverse within a single generation, pointing away from DNA mutations or accumulated cellular damage as the main cause.
Two rotifer genotypes from the same species showed the effects did not intensify across generations, leading the team to suspect epigenetic regulation—especially histone modifications that switch genes on or off.
Kristin Gribble's lab is now testing that histone mechanism and also examining whether maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA and protective gene variants shape how strongly older mothers affect offspring.
The work could help explain why maternal age effects remain widespread despite often lowering lifespan, reproduction and fitness: natural selection may weaken at older ages, especially after most reproduction has already occurred.
Because similar maternal age effects appear from invertebrates to humans, the findings suggest health may reflect not just inherited DNA but biological signals passed down from mothers, grandmothers and earlier generations.