Dim artificial light at night affects mating, reproductive output, and reactive oxygen species in Drosophila melanogaster

May 8, 2018Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology

Dim artificial light at night affects mating, reproduction, and oxidative stress in fruit flies

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Abstract

Exposure to dim light at night (10 lx) affects mating and reproductive output in Drosophila melanogaster.

Flies exposed to 10 lx light courted longer before mating compared to those in complete darkness (0 lx).
Female oviposition patterns varied significantly between 10 lx and 0 lx conditions.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were lower in the ovaries of 10 lx females compared to 0 lx females.
No difference in ROS levels was observed in the heads of females exposed to 10 lx versus 0 lx.
Changes in ovarian physiology and cell signaling may be associated with the observed differences in reproductive patterns.

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Humans are lighting the night-time environment with ever increasing extent and intensity, resulting in a variety of negative ecological effects in individuals and populations. Effects of light at night on reproductive fitness traits are demonstrated across taxa however, the mechanisms underlying these effects are largely untested. One possible mechanism is that light at night may result in perturbed reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress levels. Here, we reared Drosophila melanogaster under either dim (10 lx) light or no light (0 lx) at night for three generations and then compared mating and lifetime oviposition patterns. In a second experiment, we explored whether exposure to light at night treatments resulted in variation in ROS levels in the heads and ovaries of six, 23- and 36-day-old females. We demonstrate that dim light at night affects mating and reproductive output: 10 lx flies courted for longer prior to mating, and female oviposition patterns differed to 0 lx females. ROS levels were lower in the ovaries but not heads, of 10 lx compared with 0 lx females. We suggest that reduced ROS levels may reflect changes in ovarian physiology and cell signaling, which may be related to the differences observed in oviposition patterns. Taken together, our results indicate negative consequences for invertebrates under more stressful, urban, lit conditions and further investigation into the mechanisms driving these changes is warranted to manage invertebrate communities in a brighter future.

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Dim artificial light at night affects mating, reproductive output, and reactive oxygen species in Drosophila melanogaster

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