Drosophila as a Model for Developmental Toxicology: Using and Extending the Drosophotoxicology Model

Fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, have been traditionally valued as a simple model system due to their easy and inexpensive culture, their relatively compact genome, and the variety of available genetic tools. However, due to similarities of their neurological and developmental pathways with those of vertebrates, Drosophila also offers advantages for developmental toxicity assays. The ability to distinguish the effects of a toxicant on adult females, males, and the developing offspring adds to the usefulness of this model. Here we describe key techniques to screen chemicals and other potential emerging toxicants such as nanoparticles on adult Drosophila female and male reproductive success. In addition, assessments of relative toxicity can be revealed by viability assays at each developmental stage from the embryo to the pharate, or preemergent, adult.