The Effects of Mating on Female Drosophila Bitter Taste Processing

The Effects of Mating on Female Drosophila Bitter Taste Processing

Division III, first place prize winner.

The Drosophila melanogaster's reproductive circuit plays a critical role in their gustatory processing. Female Drosophila undergo mating-induced appetite changes. Sweet and salty foods are naturally preferred, but mated female flies seek yeast-rich foods for egg-laying. However, the relationship between bitter tastants and this complex post-mating circuit has been overlooked. The proposed study aims to elucidate this connection by observing how mating impacts bitter preference in females. Surprisingly, our preliminary studies demonstrated a strong preference for bitter (tonic water) in virgin flies however, this preference was lost once mated. Herein, we will compare control (DI water) with a pure bitter tastant (quinine) using a taste preference assay. We hypothesize that between the virgin and mated flies, mated flies will display the strongest aversion to quinine. This study will expand upon the relationship between sensory systems and reproductive circuits across insect species.