>From The Worm Breeder's Gazette, 1996, v. 14, No. 2, p. 33.
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 +21оC and in
the darkness. The obtained results are presented in the
following table.
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Control group Experimental group
n = 30 P n = 31
Mean+/-S.D. Mean+/-S.D.
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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
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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 longe-
vity 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.
