[Survival and life span of Drosophila melanogaster in response to terahertz radiation]

Life span control is realized by an interaction of many genetic factors with environment. Due to development of new modern technologies based on non-ionized terahertz radiation (0,1-10 THz) the investigation of this radiation influence on living organisms becomes actual. In our study terahertz radiation effects on survival and life span of Oregon R line of Drosophila meanogaster were multidirectional depending on the age of the insects. Terahertz effect on survival was negative or neutral in the early life and positive in the later life. In Drosophila response to terahertz radiation sex differences were manifested. Males were not very sensitive to terahertz radiation. Irradiated female survival was increased significantly in the second half of imago life. Irradiation of Drosophila not influenced significantly on average and maximal values of life span, but the gap between the values of average life span of males and females in this group of insects was increased. Mechanisms of terahertz radiation effects on survival and life span maybe associated with changes in cellular membrane, gene expression and signaling pathways, controlling these properties.