Two Old Wild-Type Strains of Drosophila melanogaster Can Serve as an Animal Model of Faster and Slower Aging Processes

Abstract

Background: Drosophila melanogaster provides a powerful platform to study the physiology and genetics of aging, i.e., the mechanisms underpinnings healthy aging, age-associated disorders, and acceleration of the aging process under adverse environmental conditions. Here, we tested the responses of daily rhythms to age-accelerated factors in two wild-type laboratory-adapted strains, Canton-S and Harwich. Methods: On the example of the 24 h patterns of locomotor activity and sleep, we documented the responses of these two strains to such factors as aging, high temperature, carbohydrate diet, and diet with different doses of caffeine-benzoate sodium. Results: The strains demonstrated differential responses to these factors. Moreover, compared to Canton-S, Harwich showed a reduced locomotor activity, larger amount of sleep, faster rate of development, smaller body weight, lower concentrations of main sugars, lower fecundity, and shorter lifespan. Conclusions: It might be recommended to use at least two strains, one with a relatively fast and another with a relatively slow aging process, for the experimental elaboration of relationships between genes, environment, behavior, physiology, and health.