Physiological deterioration associated with breeding in female mice: a model for the study of senescence and aging

Longevity is a complex and dynamic process influenced by a diversity of factors. Amongst other, gestation and lactation contribute to organismal decline because they represent a great energetic investment in mammals. Here we compared the rate of senescence onset observed in primary fibroblast obtained from the lungs of retired female breeder mice (12 months old), with the senescence arrival observed in fibroblasts derived from age-matched nulliparous mice. Two-month-old animals were also used as controls of young, fully-developed adults. Cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and expression of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity were evaluated as senescent parameters. In order to test differences in energetic competence at a systemic level, mitochondrial respiration was also evaluated in mitochondria isolated from the livers of the same animals used for the primary cultures. Our data indicated that the cells derived from female mice subjected to the physiological stress of breeding onset into replicative senescence prior than the cells from female mice age-matched without that particular stress. Thus validating the use of retired breeders as a model to study aging and senescence at the cellular level.