Anthropology of the menopause

摘要

Human female fecundity declines faster than male Why finite oocyte stores decline at a rate that accelerates toward a post-reproductive life is not clear Biochemical answers are not abundant in the literature Understanding why, in our past, we may have developed this may give clues for future biochemical research Humans are alone amongst primates in having a menopause Hunter-gatherers in today's world demonstrate nutritional contribution from childless older women to their grandchildren, particularly when a new breastfeeding infant may impair its mother's foraging productivity In order to optimise an adequate number of mature females, who themselves have no weaning children, there appears to be an advantage to a rapid decline in female reproductive ability at a time when their first offspring may themselves be at reproductive prime The adaptation is not, therefore, menopause, but a rapid decline in fertility The finite number of oocytes is not in itself the cause of the declining fertility; it is a process of accelerated decay.