Estimation of Oxidative Stress and Survivorship in Drosophila

Abstract

Various exogenous factors like temperature, sound, pressure, microbe infection and chemicals can produce oxidative stress within the body. Similarly, endogenous factors like metabolism, age, genetic defects and disease also cause stress. When the body is under stress, it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the concentration of ROS varies according to the stimuli. ROS acts as a signaling molecule and alters various developmental, physiological and metabolic pathways. Hence, accurate methods are in need to detect the concentration of ROS within the body. There are numerous ways to measure different types of ROS either using spectrophotometry or using of chemiluminescence or fluorescence probe or using electron spin resonance. Being a small animal, the more accurate method of ROS detection will be helpful to detect the effect of various factors on the body. The current chapter describes the methods for detection of ROS using the biochemical and histological method. We are also describing the survivorship assay as a stress indicator in the model organism, Drosophila.