Olfaction Modulates Reproductive Plasticity through Neuroendocrine Signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: Reproductive plasticity describes the ability of organisms to adjust parameters such as volume, rate, or timing of progeny production in order to maximize successful reproduction under different environmental conditions. Reproductive plasticity in response to environmental variation has been observed in a wide range of animals; however, the mechanisms involved in translating environmental cues into reproductive outcomes remain unknown. Here, we show that olfaction modulates reproductive timing and senescence through neuroendocrine signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans. On their preferred diet, worms demonstrate an increased rate of reproduction and an early onset of reproductive aging. Perception of the preferred diet's odor by AWB olfactory neurons elicits these adjustments by increasing ge

SUBMITTER: Sowa JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4825799 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature