The process of aging can be defined as the sum accumulation of damages and changes in metabolism during the life of an organism, due to both genetic predisposition and stochastic damage. During the gestational period and following parturition, similar damage can be seen due to the strenuous effect on the maternal body, exhibited on both the physiological and cellular level. In this review, we will focus on the similar physiological and cellular characteristics exhibited during pregnancy and aging, including induction of and response to oxidative stress, inflammation, and degradation of telomeres. We will evaluate any similar processes between aging and pregnancy by comparing common biomarkers, pathologies, and genetic and epigenetic effects, to establish the pregnant body as a model for aging. This review will approach the connection both in respect to current theories on aging as a byproduct of natural selection, and regarding unrelated biochemical similarities between the two, drawing on existing studies and models in humans and other species where relevant alike. Furthermore, we will show the response of the pregnant body to these changes, and through that illuminate unique areas of potential study to advance our knowledge of the maladies relating to aging and pregnancy, and an avenue for solutions.

衰老过程可以定义为由于遗传易感性和随机性损害而在生物体的生命中损害累积和代谢变化的总和。在妊娠期和分娩后，由于对母体的剧烈作用，在生理和细胞水平上均表现出类似的损害。在这篇综述中，我们将重点关注怀孕和衰老期间表现出的相似生理和细胞特征，包括对氧化应激，炎症和端粒降解的诱导和响应。我们将通过比较常见的生物标志物，病理学以及遗传和表观遗传效应，评估衰老与怀孕之间的任何相似过程，以建立将怀孕的身体作为衰老的模型。这次审查将利用现有的人类和其他物种研究和模型（既有相关性），探讨与作为自然选择副产物的当前衰老理论以及两者之间不相关的生物化学相似性之间的联系。此外，我们将展示孕妇对这些变化的反应，并通过它阐明潜在的独特研究领域，以增进我们对与衰老和怀孕有关的疾病的认识，以及寻求解决方案的途径。