Telomere length and fertility in women

Summary

Telomere length and fertility in women

This study will look at the relationship between telomere length and fertility in women.

Abstract

Telomere length is genetic and largely determined at birth. This study will look at the relationship between telomere length and fertility in women. Women with delayed menopause, and those who give birth later in life, have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and live longer than other women. Women with long telomere length have delayed menopause, lower risk of cardiovascular disease and live longer than other women. Based on these observations, we want to find out whether women who give birth to their first child later in life also have longer telomeres, and whether those who give birth using assisted reproduction have shorter telomeres.