Excreta Quantification (EX-Q) for Longitudinal Measurements of Food Intake in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Longitudinal measurements of food intake remain a challenge in Drosophila studies of nutrition and behavior. Here, we report an improved method for measuring fly food intake using dye-labeled food and excreta quantification (EX-Q). Reducing the surface area of the medium maximized excreta recovery and the accuracy in estimating total consumption. The EX-Q method is compatible with agar-based medium and makes it possible to measure consumption over an extended period and at multiple time points without sacrificing flies. Using EX-Q, we revealed nutrient- and age-specific features of Drosophila feeding behavior. Daily consumption of a chemically defined diet was relatively consistent over the first 25 days of adulthood. Omitting amino acids or vitamins from the diet reduced consumption in bo

SUBMITTER: Wu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6941854 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature