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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: January 7, 2013
Life span extension in Drosophila melanogaster induced by morphine
Tatyana A Dubiley1, Yury E Rushkevich, Natalya M Koshel
1Laboratory of Endocrinology, Institute of Gerontology, Kiev, Ukraine.
Abstract:
The influence of morphine on the life span of Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies has been investigated. Morphine hydrochloride (MH) at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.25 mg/ml was added to a medium starting from day 5 or 54 of imaginal life. Supplementation with MH starting from day 5 of imaginal life has resulted in significant increases in the mean life span of males at all concentrations studied. In females, a significant increase in life span compared with control was obtained only for those treated with 0.25 mg/ml MH. In flies with MH feeding from day 54, residual life span was significantly increased in both males and females after treatment with 0.05 mg/ml MH. The present data, together with those of our earlier study in mice (Dubiley et al. Probl Aging Longvity 9:331–332, 2000) suggest that morphine supplementation can result in life extension in both vertebrate and invertebrate animal species.
Insights
Morphine supplementation extended the lifespan of male and female fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). This study suggests morphine may promote longevity across different animal species.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Investigating factors influencing lifespan is crucial for understanding aging.
- Opioids, like morphine, have complex physiological effects that warrant investigation into their impact on longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of morphine hydrochloride (MH) on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster.
- To explore if MH administration at different life stages impacts longevity.
Main Methods:
- Drosophila melanogaster were fed varying concentrations of MH (0.01, 0.05, 0.25 mg/ml) starting at day 5 or day 54 of imaginal life.
- Mean and residual lifespan were compared between MH-treated groups and control groups.
Main Results:
- MH supplementation from day 5 significantly increased male lifespan across all tested concentrations.
- Female lifespan increased significantly only at the highest MH concentration (0.25 mg/ml) when administered from day 5.
- MH administration from day 54 significantly increased residual lifespan in both sexes at 0.05 mg/ml.
Conclusions:
- Morphine hydrochloride can extend lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster, an invertebrate model.
- These findings, consistent with previous studies in mice, suggest morphine may have conserved life-extending properties across species.
