The Effect of Chia Seed on Reproductive Fitness in Drosophila melanogaster
Author : Chethan Kumar S, Afeefa Bhanu, Aneesa PV, Chandana R and Krishna MS
Abstract :
Nutritional components play a vital role in influencing the growth, development, reproductive success, and physiological traits of Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, we investigated the impact of chia seed supplementation at varying concentrations (5g, 10g, and 15g) on reproductive fitness parameters, including mating latency, copulation duration, and fertility.
Experimental flies were cultured on standard wheat cream agar (control) and chia seed-enriched media at different concentrations. The results revealed a statistically significant variation in mating behavior and reproductive outcomes among the groups. Flies fed with 5g of chia seed exhibited the shortest mating latency, indicating faster initiation of mating compared to control flies, which showed the longest delay. Copulation duration was significantly higher in the 5g group, followed by the 10g and 15g groups, while the control group had the shortest duration, suggesting enhanced sperm transfer potential in chia-fed flies.
Fertility analysis showed that the 5g chia seed group had the highest progeny count, whereas the control group produced significantly fewer offspring. Intermediate fertility levels were recorded in the 10g and 15g groups.
Thus these studies suggests that nutrient present in chia seed increases reproductive fitness in D. melanogaster.
Keywords :
Drosophila melanogaster, chia seed, mating latency, copulation duration, fertility, nutrition.
