Mating induces shrinking and death in Caenorhabditis mothers.

ABSTRACT: Interactions between the germ line and the soma help optimize reproductive success. We discovered a phenomenon linking reproductive status to longevity: In both hermaphroditic and gonochoristic Caenorhabditis, mating leads to female shrinking and death, compressing postreproductive life span. Male sperm induces germline- and DAF-9/DAF-12-dependent shrinking, osmotic stress susceptibility, and subsequent life-span decrease, whereas seminal fluid induces DAF-16-dependent life-span decrease and fat loss. Our study provides insight into the communication between males and the female germ line and soma to regulate reproduction and longevity, revealing a high-reproduction, low-life-span state induced by mating. Postmating somatic collapse may be an example of the sexually antagonistic influence

SUBMITTER: Shi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6719292 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature