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.
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.