Chilling slows anaerobic metabolism to improve anoxia tolerance of insects

Abstract

Background: Insects are renowned for their ability to survive anoxia. Anoxia tolerance may be enhanced during chilling through metabolic suppression. Aims: Here, the metabolomic response of insects to anoxia, both with and without chilling, for different durations (12–36 h) was examined to assess the potential cross-tolerance mechanisms. Results: Chilling during anoxia (cold anoxia) significantly improved survival relative to anoxia at warmer temperatures. Reduced intermediate metabolites and increased lactic acid, indicating a switch to anaerobic metabolism, were characteristic of larvae in anoxia. Conclusions: Anoxia tolerance was correlated survival improvements after cold anoxia were correlated with a reduction in anaerobic metabolism.

Publication Title

Metabolomics

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS