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Influence of parental aging on the reproduction of the F1 generation in a hermaphrodite nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

1972; Elsevier BV; Volume: 7; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0531-5565(72)90026-5

1873-6815

B. Béguet, Jean Brun,

Spaceflight effects on biology

Abstract In the free-living hermaphrodite autogamous nematode C. elegans, parental senescence generally leads to a significant reduction in the number of F2 adults derived from F1 parents. Indeed, this reduction is seen in 70 per cent of lines. It is related to changes in the reproductive mechanisms of the F1 generation, affecting both the physiology of the gonad and the products of the ovotestis: Earlier sexual maturation of the F1O hermaphrodite derived from elderly parents ( 4 1 4 days instead of 4 1 2 days); A 15 per cent reduction in the number of spermatozoa produced by the F1O; An increase in the mortality of F2O eggs, rising to 50 per cent in eggs laid on the last day. These findings suggest that the causes of the reduction in fecundity arise during oogenesis in the F1O subjects. It is principally the cytoplasm of the oocyte that appears to be affected. Various hypotheses are put forward concerning the way in which this prolonged effect could be produced.