Axenic Cultivation of Caenorhabditis briggsae (Nematoda: Rhabditidae). V. Maturation on Synthetic Media. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. Newly hatched larvae of Caenorhabditis briggsae can grow to adulthood and F₁ larvae can be produced on a completely defined synthetic medium (GM-8) consisting of 18 L-amino acids, D-glucose, 4 ribonucleotides plus thymine, choline, i-inositol, ascorbic acid, 17 “trace” vitamins and growth factors, and a mixture of salts. 2. Media (GM-9 and −11) like GM-8 except for certain omissions (and minor additions to restore acid-base balance and salt levels) also support maturation and reproduction. 3. In the case of GM-11, omitted substances include the 8 “non-essential” amino acids. 4. The presence of a trace amount of the standard liver medium used for the indefinite axenic cultivation of C. briggsae is markedly stimulatory to the synthetic media, and some F₁ larvae mature and produce F₂ larvae when liver medium is present at only 0.032% of its standard strength. 5. For sustained growth, however, C. briggsae requires the presence of much higher levels of liver medium—between 10 and 50% of the standard level used for stock cultures. 6. Evidence is here presented that the liver medium contains 2 requirements, or sets of requirements, not present in the synthetic media, at least in adequate amounts or proportions.