Using data from 16 published reports, the authors correlated macroscopic disc degeneration grades with age, sex, and spine level In 600 lumbar Intervertebral discs from 273 cadavers (ages:​ 0–96 years). Male discs were more degenerated than female discs at most ages;​ significantly so In the second, fifth, sixth, and seventh decades. On average, L4-L5 and L3-L4 level discs showed more degeneration than discs at other lumbar levels. These macroscopic findings corroborate radio-graphic data from epldemlologlc studies. The calculations suggest that higher mechanical stress, perhaps combined with longer nutritional pathways, may be responsible for the earlier degeneration of male discs.