The Effects of Circadian Disruption on Behavior, Lifespan, and Fecundity in Drosophila Melanogaster

Location

SU-003

Start Date

28-4-2023 9:40 AM

Department

Biology

Abstract

Circadian disruptions can have adverse behavioral and/or physiological effects on organisms, impacting their overall health and reproductive fitness. We disrupted the circadian biology of Drosophila melanogaster through exposure to excessive nighttime light. We used locomotor, lifespan, and fecundity/fertility assays to quantify negative effects in Ore-R and W1118 wildtype flies. Control flies were kept in a 12:12 hr. light-dark cycle (LD) while the experimental flies were kept in a 12:12 hr. light-low-light cycle (LLC) of 4 lux to mimic exposure to artificial-light-at-night (ALAN), a form of photopollution. Our data showed significant behavioral differences in the active-rest phases of wildtype flies, with the LLC group having a longer duration of midday inactivity and reduced lifespan compared to controls. In addition, there were significant sex differences in both locomotion and lifespan as well as preliminary data indicating that LLC conditions affect fecundity. To date, our research confirms that ALAN can have a significant impact on the behavioral patterns and lifespans of D. melanogaster, establishing a more convenient model to explore future questions related to circadian disruption.

Faculty Sponsor

Aaron Schirmer, Northeastern Illinois University

Faculty Sponsor

Elyse Bolterstein, Northeastern Illinois University

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Apr 28th, 9:40 AM

The Effects of Circadian Disruption on Behavior, Lifespan, and Fecundity in Drosophila Melanogaster

SU-003

Circadian disruptions can have adverse behavioral and/or physiological effects on organisms, impacting their overall health and reproductive fitness. We disrupted the circadian biology of Drosophila melanogaster through exposure to excessive nighttime light. We used locomotor, lifespan, and fecundity/fertility assays to quantify negative effects in Ore-R and W1118 wildtype flies. Control flies were kept in a 12:12 hr. light-dark cycle (LD) while the experimental flies were kept in a 12:12 hr. light-low-light cycle (LLC) of 4 lux to mimic exposure to artificial-light-at-night (ALAN), a form of photopollution. Our data showed significant behavioral differences in the active-rest phases of wildtype flies, with the LLC group having a longer duration of midday inactivity and reduced lifespan compared to controls. In addition, there were significant sex differences in both locomotion and lifespan as well as preliminary data indicating that LLC conditions affect fecundity. To date, our research confirms that ALAN can have a significant impact on the behavioral patterns and lifespans of D. melanogaster, establishing a more convenient model to explore future questions related to circadian disruption.