Testing effects of reproduction on stress and mortality

描述(申请人提供)：这项研究将确定成虫卵巢对昆虫模型生物体死亡率的直接影响。生殖可能至少以两种方式缩短寿命：有限的营养可能分配给生殖过程而不是胞体，或者生殖可能对寿命产生独立于营养分配的直接负面影响(例如，释放衰老激素)。卡路里限制对长寿的影响得到了很好的研究。不依赖于营养的生殖的贡献还没有被很好地理解。在这个项目中，我研究了生殖对寿命的直接影响的模型。这个模型假设，当生殖系组织完好无损时，它直接降低了个体抵抗细胞压力或最大限度减少氧化的能力，从而增加了与营养无关的特定年龄段的死亡率。蝗虫是这种衰老方法的优秀模型，因为它们足够大，可以跟踪个体并分析多种组织，但寿命较短(约80天)，而且比老鼠便宜。蝗虫繁殖的可塑性被很好地描述；这一建议将这些研究扩展到应激耐受性和特定年龄死亡率的可塑性。目的1检测去卵巢的雌性大鼠是否具有较高的热休克蛋白70组成水平和超氧化物歧化酶活性。直接影响生殖的模型预测更高的Hsp70水平和超氧化物歧化酶活性。目的#2将测试卵巢是否独立于卵黄形成的营养分配而降低特定年龄段的死亡率。生殖对寿命的直接影响模型预测，卵巢将随着卵黄生成的减少而降低死亡率。目的#3将测试卵巢对死亡率的影响是否与营养分配有关。生殖对寿命的直接影响的模型预测，卵巢的影响不是通过营养分配来起作用的。了解衰老的基本生物学对国家的医疗保健至关重要。众所周知，生殖会减少寿命，但这种情况是如何与营养无关地发生的还不清楚。利用昆虫模型，这项建议将研究卵巢是否会缩短寿命，而不会受到营养分配的混杂影响。还将测试应激蛋白和抗氧化剂对卵巢的控制作用。最后但并非最不重要的一点是，这笔拨款将对北佛罗里达大学的生物学研究环境产生深远影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This study will determine the direct effects of the adult ovary on mortality rate in an insect model organism. Reproduction may shorten lifespan in at least two ways: limited nutrients may be allocated to reproductive processes instead of the soma, or reproduction may create direct negative effects on longevity that are independent of nutritional allocation (e.g., release of aging hormones). The effects of calorie restriction on longevity are well studied. The contributions of reproduction that are independent of nutrition are not well understood. In this project, I examine the model of direct effects of reproduction on longevity. This model posits that when germ-line tissue is intact it directly reduces the individual's ability to resist cellular stress or minimize oxidation, thereby increasing age-specific mortality rate independently of nutrition. Grasshoppers are excellent models for this approach to aging because they are large enough for tracking individuals and analyzing multiple tissues, but are shorter-lived (approximately 80 days) and cheaper than mice. Plasticity of reproduction in grasshoppers is well characterized; this proposal extends these studies to plasticity of stress tolerance and age-specific mortality. Aim #1 will test whether ovariectomized females have higher constitutive levels of heat shock protein 70 and superoxide dismutase activity. The model of direct effects on reproduction predicts higher Hsp70 levels and superoxide dismutase activities. Aim #2 will test whether the ovary decreases age-specific mortality rate independently of nutritional allocation to vitellogenesis. The model of direct effects of reproduction on longevity predicts the ovary will decrease mortality rate with decreasing vitellogenesis. Aim #3 will test whether ovarian effects on mortality rate are linked to nutrient allocation. The model of direct effects of reproduction on longevity predicts that ovarian effects do not act through nutritional allocation. Understanding the basic biology of aging is critical to the health care of the nation. Reproduction is known to reduce longevity, but how this can occur independently of nutrition is not clear. Using an insect model, this proposal will examine whether the ovary decreases life-span, without the confounding affects of nutritional distribution. Ovarian control of stress proteins and anti-oxidants will also be tested. Last but not least, this grant will have a profound effect on the research environment in biology at the University of North Florida.