Accelerated aging of the insect Drosophila melanogaster by gamma irradiations of pupae.

The purpose of this study was to induce accelerated aging in the fly Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera) using free radicals, and to distinguish aging from radiation syndrome. After irradiation of 12 to 24-hour-old pupae with does of 500-2500 rad, very similar fly emergence rates were observed in control and treated populations. The life span was shortened and dose-related in mixed populations and in both virgin and mated male and female populations. Males were more radiosensitive than females. In the 500-2500 rad dose range, all the populations tested were fertile after irradiation. Young treated as pupae and control adults both displayed similar mating ability and negative geotactic responses. Their response levels decreased with time, but the decline was faster and dose-related in the treated animals. This study demonstrates that irradiation of 12 to 24-hour-old pupae with doses of 500-2500 rad induces accelerated aging, without causing serious biological damage. For example, after an irradiation with 1750 rad, the "lethal time" (LT) 50 dropped by about 30%.