TA-65 does not increase telomere length during post-natal development in house sparrow chicks (Passer domesticus).

Telomeres, protective caps at the end of chromosomes, are often positively related to lifespan and are thought to be an important mechanism of organismal aging. To better understand the casual relationships between telomere length and longevity, it is essential to be able to experimentally manipulate telomere dynamics (length and loss rate). Previous studies suggest that exposure to TA-65, an extract from the Chinese root Astragalus membranaceus, activates telomerase, lengthens telomeres, increases the growth of keratin-based structures, and boosts the immune system in adults.