Hypergravity, aging and longevity in Drosophila melanogaster.
1. Drosophila melanogaster flies have been used in studies of the effect of hypergravity (HG) on aging and longevity. 2. There is no clear longevity decrease with the gravity level up to 4 g and, even at 7 g, flies still live for roughly 40 days. 3. The HG-related changes in fecundity suggest that flies counteract an increased metabolic demand. 4. Viability is barely affected in HG. 5. These results show that flies remain able to lay viable eggs and to live for a fairly long life, even at high HG levels. 6. The study of three behavioral traits affected by aging (climbing activity, pattern of movement, spontaneous locomotor activity) suggests that flies age faster in HG, while no HG effect is clearly detected at young age. 7. These results are observed at HG levels where longevity is not yet affected. 8. Results are discussed in relation with Pearl's rate of living theory (1928).
Le Bourg
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Centre de Recherche en Biologie du Comportement, Université Paul Sabatier, U.R.A. C.N.R.S. no. 664, Toulouse, France.
Lints
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FA
Fresquet
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Bullens
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P
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006112:Gravitation; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male