The Effect of Hypericum perforatum on the Asexual Reproduction of Daphnia magna

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Zoology

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

Hypericum perforatum is an herb used as a remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly against depression, where it has been compared to SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for its response and effectiveness against depression. The properties of SSRIs which combat depression produce hormonal changes in organisms that affect a variety of bodily functions, such as reproduction. The SSRI fluoxetine has been used on Daphnia magna, a crustacean and model organism, to test the organism’s reproductive response, finding increases in its reproductive rate associated with its hormonal properties. The purpose of this study was to use H. perforatum on D. magna and observe the herb’s effects on the reproduction of D. magna when in a controlled environment encouraging asexual reproduction, a commonly used parameter to determine the model organism’s response to a drug or toxin. It was hypothesized that the H. perforatum would increase the number of D. magna offspring produced as the herb would act similar to an SSRI, which would result in an increase in reproduction. The hypothesis was tested by harboring two D. magna cultures, with one exposed to a H. perforatum solution. The initial and final populations were counted, and the group exposed to the herb had significantly more individuals, both adults and neonates, than the control group, supporting the hypothesis. There was evidence to indicate that the herb H. perforatum had some effect on the reproduction of D. magna.

Location

RITA 283

Start Date

3-23-2024 10:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 23rd, 10:00 AM

The Effect of Hypericum perforatum on the Asexual Reproduction of Daphnia magna

RITA 283

Hypericum perforatum is an herb used as a remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly against depression, where it has been compared to SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) for its response and effectiveness against depression. The properties of SSRIs which combat depression produce hormonal changes in organisms that affect a variety of bodily functions, such as reproduction. The SSRI fluoxetine has been used on Daphnia magna, a crustacean and model organism, to test the organism’s reproductive response, finding increases in its reproductive rate associated with its hormonal properties. The purpose of this study was to use H. perforatum on D. magna and observe the herb’s effects on the reproduction of D. magna when in a controlled environment encouraging asexual reproduction, a commonly used parameter to determine the model organism’s response to a drug or toxin. It was hypothesized that the H. perforatum would increase the number of D. magna offspring produced as the herb would act similar to an SSRI, which would result in an increase in reproduction. The hypothesis was tested by harboring two D. magna cultures, with one exposed to a H. perforatum solution. The initial and final populations were counted, and the group exposed to the herb had significantly more individuals, both adults and neonates, than the control group, supporting the hypothesis. There was evidence to indicate that the herb H. perforatum had some effect on the reproduction of D. magna.