Temperature-induced compensatory growth in the nematode C. elegans is regulated by a thermosensitive TRP channel and influences reproductive rate

We set to measure compensatory growth and slowed-down
plasticity, and its consequences for age-specific reproduction and lifespan in wild-type
Caenorhabditis elegans worms as well
as worms with a null-mutation in the trpa-1
gene.

Newly laid eggs of worms were exposed to one of three
temperatures: 15°C, 20°C or 25°C until they reached third larval stage
whereafter we moved them to standard temperature (20°C). To asses growth rate
we photographed worms every 24h for five consecutive days (since switch to 20°C).
We analyzed the photographs using ImageJ to calculate the total area of the
worms and we calculated growth rate as the size of a worm each day, divided by
the number of days since the switch to 20°C. We checked worms every 24h to assess
lifespan and if still alive, we moved them to a new plate. We kept the old
plates to allow eggs to hatch, and after 48h we counted offspring to asses a
daily fecundity.

本研究旨在探究补偿生长与减缓型发育可塑性，及其对野生型秀丽隐杆线虫（Caenorhabditis elegans）以及携带trpa-1基因无效突变（null mutation）的秀丽隐杆线虫的年龄特异性繁殖能力与寿命的影响。
将刚产下的线虫卵分别置于15℃、20℃或25℃三种温度下培养，直至其发育至三龄幼虫阶段，随后将线虫转移至标准培养温度（20℃）。
为评估生长速率，我们在转移至20℃后连续5天每日拍摄线虫照片。通过ImageJ软件分析照片以计算线虫的总个体面积，并以每日线虫个体面积除以自转移至20℃后的天数，得到生长速率。
我们每24小时检查一次线虫以统计寿命，若线虫仍存活，则将其转移至新的培养板。保留原培养板以允许虫卵孵化，48小时后计数子代数量以评估每日繁殖力。