Pathways to a healthy lifespan: insights from an exceptionally long-lived rodent

Naked mole-rats are exceptional creatures with many unique traits that make them an ideal model system to study healthy aging. They are highly resistant to age-related diseases and remain fertile for many decades. They live in large, social colonies, where only the ‘queen’ and 1-3 males breed. The rest of the colony are non-breeding workers. 

Like humans, Naked mole-rats have two distinct phases of reproductive development. The initial development of the sex organs and creation of the lifetime supply of immature eggs occurs before birth. The second stage (puberty) is suppressed by the presence of the breeding queen but can be started by simply removing individuals from their colony. They then quickly mature into breeders. Interestingly, we and others have found that female Naked mole-rats have an exceptionally high number of immature eggs, far more than even much larger mammals. This very large “ovarian reserve” contributes towards their extended period of fertility, yet the precise factors governing this phenomenon and its implications for aging remain poorly understood. 

BBC Unexpected Elements: Rulers and the rules of ageing

National Geographic. Naked mole rats are fertile until they die. Here's how that can help us

BBC Future. What naked mole-rats can teach us about treating cancer

Bradford Science Festival 2020. The secrets of naked mole rats. Oct 23 - No 01, 2020.