THE EVOLUTION OF OVARIAN OOCYTE DECLINE WITH AGING AND POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIPS TO DOWN-SYNDROME AND ALZHEIMER-DISEASE

Evolutionary aspects of menopause are considered from several perspect ives. First, the programmed exhaustion of ovarian oocytes appears to b e a general trait of mammals that is not as widely found in other vert ebrates. Second, studies on mice suggest that the maternal age effect that accelerates the incidence of Down syndrome is due not to age per se but to dwindling ovarian oocyte pools. Because Down syndrome inevit ably leads to Alzheimer-type neuropathology, there is reason to consid er hormonal intervention strategies to reduce the risk of Down syndrom e. Third, estrogens may be a protective factor in Alzheimer disease, w hich is another link to menopause and another rationale for special ho rmonal interventions.