Worm Breeder's Gazette 14(1): 102 (October 1, 1995)
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, 530107, USSR
It is well known that low temperatures can prolong longevity of different
animals. In this study the experimental worms were mantained in liquid
medium with E. coli in +21 C during the day (8-20 hrs) and in +4 C during
the night, in darkness. One control group was mantained in +21 C and other
control group was mantained in +4 C constantly. The obtained results are
presented in the following table.
Control group Experimental Control group
(+21C) group (+4C)
Mean +/- S.D. Mean +/- S.D. Mean +/- S.D.
Mean longevity (days) 19,86 +/- 1,63 22,96 +/- 1,57 38,30 +/- 2,72
(n = 22) (n = 24) (n = 22)
Maximal longevity (days) 34 35 50
Minimal longevity (days) 6 10 5
Mean fecundity 76,91 +/- 4,54 54,33 +/- 3,32 4,45 +/- 2,07
(n = 22) (n = 24) (n = 22)
Maximal fecundity 118 95 46
Minimal fecundity 33 25 0
It can be concluded that such intermittent temperature is not able to
prolong the life-span of C. elegans significantly, in comparison with
constant cold, as well as fecundity.
Acknowledgment: The author wishes to express his thanks to CGC for
providing C. elegans (wild line) and E. coli OP50.