Gavrilova N.S., Gavrilov L.A.
Consanguinity  And  Human Longevity:
Findings  From  The International  Centenarian  Study
Gerontologist, 2001, 41: 87-87, Sp.issue

    The study of centenarians provides unique opportunities for detecting both risk and protective factors that affect human longevity.  We report here the first findings from a new International Centenarian Study, ICS, in which we explored the impact of inbreeding on exceptional human longevity.  The ICS is based on the meta-analysis of 650 detailed pedigrees for centenarians from the United States, Canada, England, Australia, Netherlands, Ireland and other countries.  These pedigrees were checked for data quality and used to calculate the inbreeding coefficient.  We used the method of Crow and Mange (1965) to estimate the inbreeding coefficient (F) through surname analysis.  We found that the inbreeding coefficient among centenarians is 0.0031 or 0.31%.  These estimates are within the normal range observed in human populations.  We also found 3 cases of centenarians born as a result of first-cousin marriages. This study was supported in part by NIA grants.
 
 

Gavrilov L.A., Gavrilova N.S.
The  Effects  Of  Early-Life  Events On  Adult  Lifespan  Are  Sex-Specific
Gerontologist, 2001, 41: 163-163, Sp.issue

     In this study we explored the effects of early-life conditions on adult lifespan of 12,000 persons using methodology of follow-up study of extinct birth cohorts and the multivariate regression with nominal variables.  We found that sex differences in adult life span are modulated by early-life events and conditions.  Specifically, we found that such variables as  (1) father's age at person's conception,  (2) maternal lifespan,  (3) month of birth,  (4) birth order (first-born status) have a profound effects on adult lifespan (life expectancy at age 30) in females, but not in males.  Daughters born to young fathers (below 30 years) or old fathers (above 50 years) live significantly shorter lives, while sons are less affected by paternal age at conception.  The dependence of progeny lifespan on parental lifespan is non-linear with particularly steep slope for long-lived parents (above 90 years) and female sex of the progeny.  Women born in May or December live longer compared to those born in February or August, while male lifespan is less affected by the season of birth.  Supported in part by NIA grants.