The Intergenerational Effect of Obesity in the Male Fruit Fly

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objectives of this experiment was to see if obesity in the male fruit fly affected the offspring's BMI, and if there was an effect on the offspring, could that effect be passed down throughout future generations. Methods/Materials Fruit flies were separated by sex into two vials, one with normal, company-grade fruit fly medium, and the other with 70% of the same medium, plus 30% of coconut oil. After one week they were weighed, measured and mated with normal females. The offspring were then raised in normal medium until maturity and then they were weighed and measured. This process was repeated again for another generation. Results The experimental males became underweight rather than overweight from the coconut oil medium, however, the experiment was continued with these flies. The experimental group's offspring was found to have a small difference in BMI from the control group in the first generation, and that difference increased in the second generation. Conclusions/Discussion The conclusion of this experiment is that a father's low BMI appears to have a genetic effect on the offspring. The influence of the father's BMI may have a different effect on subsequent generations depending on offspring gender.

Competition history

• CSEF 2014 Zoology · Entry J2206

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