A cost of reproduction: Oxidative stress susceptibility is associated with increased egg production in Drosophila melanogaster

Yue Wang, Adam B. Salmon, Lawrence G. Harshman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study tests the hypothesis that reproduction is correlated with decreased oxidative stress resistance. In numerous species, it has been observed that longevity is negatively correlated with reproduction but the physiological basis of this cost is not well understood. In the present study, female egg production was stimulated by adding live yeast to the surface of Drosophila food. After females were held on yeast-supplemented and unmodified medium for 6-12 days, susceptibility to oxidative stress was measured by exposure to methyl viologen. Added yeast was associated with stress susceptibility of fertile females but not of sterile females. The results of the present study suggest that oxidative stress susceptibility is a physiological cost of reproduction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1349-1359
Number of pages11
JournalExperimental Gerontology
Volume36
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cost of reproduction
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Oxidative stress
  • Stress resistance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Aging
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

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