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. 2021 Jan 1;7(1):eabc3026. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abc3026

Fig. 1. Longevity induced by heat stress can be inherited.

Fig. 1

(A to E) Transgenerational inheritance of heat shock induces a survival advantage in C. elegans. Experimental scheme (A) and life-span analyses of with or without treatment P0 (B), F1 (C), F2 (D), and F3 (E). Life span was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier test; P values were calculated using the log-rank test, and the life-span values of the replicated tests are listed in table S1. (F) Mean life span of generations F1 to F7. Naive progeny from generation F1 to F5 of parents exposed to high temperature had extended life spans; the sixth generation returned to normal life span (mean ± SD, n ≥ 3; *P < 0.05 and ***P < 0.001; NS, not significant; Student’s t test). (G to L) Longevity induced by heat shock is transmitted through both male and female germ lines. Experimental scheme (G and J) and life-span analyses of the progeny of fathers exposed to high temperature (H and I) and the progeny of mothers exposed to high temperature (K and L) (P value by log-rank test). The experiments were repeated at least three times. Detailed life-span values are listed in table S1. WT, wild type.