Worm Breeder's Gazette 14(2): 33 (February 1, 1996)

These abstracts should not be cited in bibliographies. Material contained herein should be treated as personal communication and should be cited as such only with the consent of the author.

AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW AGING IN C. elegans. 3.THE EFFECT OF EXTRACT FROM YOUNG WORMS DURING POSTREPRODUCTIVE PERIOD

Vladimir V. Bakaev

box 45, Novosibirsk, 630107, USSR

C. elegans (1 - 2 days old) were collected from separate stock, frozen and
after 12 hours or more time, thawed, filtrated and mixed with S medium
containing E. coli (1:1), this mixture was used as a medium for worms in
experimental group.  The medium for control group was prepared by mixing
S medium containing E. coli with S medium without E. coli (1:1).  Three
adult animals (3 - 5 days old) were kept in microtitre wells containing
0,75 ml of liquid medium (with E. coli and with or without young worms
extract) during 12 hours, then they were discarded and newborn larvae were
transferred in next wells every day (one worm in one well).  The medium
with extract from young worms was used in experimental group beginning
from 12th day, that is practically in postreproductive period of nematode
life span. A number of progeny was calculated every day.  This
investigation was carried out in temperature +21C and in the darkness. The
obtained results are presented in the following table.

                      Control group                     Experimental Group
                         n = 30            P                n=31
                       Mean /-+ S.D.                     Mean +/- S.D.

Longevity:
mean                 22.0 +/- 1.4           >0.05         25.5 +/- 1.4
maximal                  39                                     39
minimal                  13                                     14

Postreproductive
period (days)       9.5  +/- 1.2               >0.05       12.9 +/- 1.3

Fecundity after
12th day            0.63  +/- 0.22             >0.05       1.77 +/- 0.61


Conclusion: If the extract from young worms was applied to C. elegans
during postreproductive period of their life span, then it was able
slightly to increase their mean longevity (by 15.9 per cent, not
significant), length of postreproductive period (by 35.7 per cent, not
significant), as well as fecundity during this period.

Probably extract prepared from larvae C. elegans contains any factor,
which can slightly stimulate fecundity and longevity of adult worms, but
this effect is obviously insufficient for noticeable prolonging of
longevity.
Acknowledgment: The author wishes to express his thanks to CGC for
providing C. elegans (Bristol, N2) and E. coli OP50.