title: Fatty-acid preference changes during development in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Fatty-acids (FAs) are required in the diet of many animals throughout their life. However, the mechanisms involved in the perception of and preferences for dietary saturated and unsaturated FAs (SFAs and UFAs, respectively) remain poorly explored, especially in insects. Using the model species Drosophila melanogaster, we measured the responses of wild-type larvae and adults to pure SFAs (14, 16, and 18 carbons) and UFAs (C18 with 1, 2, or 3 double-bonds). Individual and group behavioral tests revealed different preferences in larvae and adults. Larvae preferred UFAs whereas SFAs tended to induce both a strong aversion and a persistent aggregation behavior. Adults generally preferred SFAs, and laid more eggs and had a longer life span when ingesting these substances as compared to UFAs. Our data suggest that insects can discriminate long-chain dietary FAs. The developmental change in preference shown by this species might reflect functional variation in use of FAs or stage-specific nutritional requirements, and may be fundamental for insect use of these major dietary components.
authors: Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, UMR6265 CNRS, UMR1324 INRA, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
authors: Anne-Sophie
authors: AS
authors: Fougeron
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Farine
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Flaven-Pouchon
authors: Claude
authors: C
authors: Everaerts
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Ferveur
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated