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Y-Chromosome Loss Rises with Age, Boosts Disease Risk

6/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers report Y-chromosome loss in blood cells rises from 40 % in 70-year-old men to 57 % in 93-year-old men.
Studies link the loss to risks of cancer, kidney, heart and Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical data show men with Y-chromosome loss are more likely to die early or develop cancer.
Evolutionary biologists Jennifer Hughes and Jenny Graves debate moving essential Y-linked genes to other chromosomes, noting some mammals have lost the Y.

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Story summary

Researchers report Y-chromosome loss in blood cells rises from 40 % in 70-year-old men to 57 % in 93-year-old men.
Studies link the loss to risks of cancer, kidney, heart and Alzheimer’s disease.
Clinical data show men with Y-chromosome loss are more likely to die early or develop cancer.
Evolutionary biologists Jennifer Hughes and Jenny Graves debate moving essential Y-linked genes to other chromosomes, noting some mammals have lost the Y.