GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS OF LONGEVITY

Abstract

Species life expectancy is not one-size-fits-all. There is a relatively small group of individuals at the age of 120–130, especially abundant in countries of significant altitudes, possibly due to environmental conditions. Convincing evidence is now available that maximum life expectancy as well as average life expectancy in developed countries have increased significantly over the past century. Unfortunately, today there is no evidence of a genetically determined life expectancy of about 85 years. In contrast, the greatest absolute improvement in survival rates over recent decades has occurred among people over 80 years of age. About a quarter of the variation in life expectancy in developed countries can be explained by genetic factors. The effects of both genetic and environmental factors on longevity can potentially be modified through medical treatments, behavioral changes, and environmental improvements. This was the reason for our research. During the research, the state of health and longevity of 498 people aged 80–121 years and older in Azerbaijan and Ukraine were examined and studied. As a result of checking the age of people in Azerbaijan, it turned out that a quarter of people (25%) exaggerated their calendar age (90 years and older), only 5% – reduced it. It was found that in both regions, the role of the genetic factor increases with age, that is, indicators of the frequency of family longevity (FLF). The vast majority of people in Azerbaijan came from hereditary marriages (82%), only 18% – from family marriages (inbreeding). Inbreeding in the presence of favorable heredity is expressed by such signs as parents rarely get sick, vital signs show a healthy state of the body and a life expectancy of more than 90 years. In general, inbreeding in the presence of favorable heredity not only does not reduce life expectancy (LT), but also contributes to the extension of life in the population of Azerbaijanis. It has been found that the indicators of family longevity in both men and women of Azerbaijan increase with age – 89 years (75,5%). The role of heredity in the long-lived people of Azerbaijan was found to be high compared to Ukraine. It is more pronounced and significantly different at the age of 80–89 (62% in men, 52,5% in women) and 90–99 years old (72,7% in men, 72,4% in women).