The primary goal of this research is to evaluate possible hormetic responses within an established insect model extensively used in developmental, nutritional, and gerontological investigations. An additional goal is to assess the existence of differential susceptibility to cadmium chloride with respect to developmental stage. This study will assess whether cadmium chloride exposure via larval feeding to Phormia regina (Blowfly) alters the developmental processes as measured by changes in larval, pupal, and adult survival compared to concurrent vehicle controls. If hormesis can be consistently replicated in this model, it will provide a relatively inexpensive, and efficient model to assess this phenomenon, with a future goal of elucidating the mechanistic underpinnings by which organisms may adapt to low levels of environmental toxicants. The stage specific susceptibility in the uptake of heavy metals may be relevant for bioavailibility studies, and may also produce useful information for conducting ecological risk assessments of environmental stressor agents. This study suggests that the blowfly larval exposure model reveal a developmental stage specific susceptibility to cadmium chloride, as well as hormetic effects with respect to larvae to emerge as pupae.
Learning Objectives: Understand that hormesis is a dose response relationship phenomenon that is stimulatory at low doses and inhibitory at high doses. When this relationship is observed overtime, the dose-time response often displays an initial inhibitory response, followed by a compensatory response leading to the restoration of homeostasis and often times a temporary overcompensation response.
Keywords: Toxicants, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.