Elephant's Giant Testicles Could Prevent Them From Getting Cancer

It is rare for elephants to get cancer and a reason for this is their huge testicles, according to scientific studies.

A Live Science report said this could be because of the protein called p53, which helps prevent DNA damage in cells, including the damage that could turn a normal cell into a cancerous cell.

Evolutionary biologist Fritz Vollrath said this could help elephants in protecting their sperm from hot temperatures.

Vollrath said that even before, it had been observed that large animals do not have a high risk of developing cancer compared to smaller animals. This was despite the mammal's characteristic of having more cells that could potentially turn into cancerous cells.

The hypothesis began with the "Peto's Paradox," which was formulated by epidemiologist Richard Peto.

What is p53 protein

Studies have shown that elephants have 20 copies of the gene that encodes the p53 protein. This protein works similar to a copy editor wherein it reviews genetic material as cells multiply, and this will eventually kill off cells with any damages that could later on lead to cancer.

The elephant's characteristic of having 20 copies of the said gene has something to do with their testicles, according to Vollrath. He said in the report that a number of male animals, including humans, have their testicles partially outside their body to cool them down and that is believed to be important in order to create a healthy batch of sperm.

A report posted on Forbes said the elephants' testicles remain undescended deep within their bodies and this will help them maintain a hot temperature.

Meanwhile, according to a report on Phys.Org, this discovery can offer valuable insights into understanding the cellular response to DNA damage in humans.

The report explained that the diversification of p53 proteins can also provide protective benefits against DNA damage and mutations in somatic cell lines. This will give additional collateral advantages linked to cancer and aging.

"Elephants provide us with a unique system to study the evolution of a robust defense mechanism against DNA damage and explore the intricate details of the p53 complex in our own battle against cancer and ailments like aging," a part of the research on the elephants said.

"Novel insights in this field are always important, but especially now that overheating is becoming ever more of an issue also for us humans," it added.

Fight against cancer

The research on elephants not commonly acquiring cancer could have significant implications for cancer research, according to a report on Wion.

It added that it could also help in the study of male infertility in humans, especially during the period when one's sperm count is declining.

The study believed that elephants could offer a unique system for investigating the evolutionary development of robust defense mechanisms against DNA damage, that will later on provide a valuable insights into the humanity's own battle against cancer.

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