# Egg laying during stress-induced sleep of Caenorhabditis elegans is reduced due to behavioral quiescence and fertility defects

## TL;DR

The study shows that stress-induced sleep in C. elegans reduces egg-laying due to behavioral quiescence and fertility issues.

## Contribution

The research reveals that fertility during stress-induced sleep is regulated by mechanisms beyond ALA and RIS neuropeptide signaling.

## Key findings

- Stress-induced sleep in C. elegans reduces egg-laying behavior and egg production.
- Behavioral quiescence during sleep is partially controlled by ALA and RIS sleep interneurons.
- Fertility regulation during sleep involves mechanisms beyond neuropeptide signaling from ALA and RIS.

## Abstract

Sleep is a reversible state, characterized by the inhibition of periodic behaviors that occur during waking hours.

Caenorhabditis elegans

demonstrates stress-induced sleep following exposure to environmental stressors, like noxious heat or ultraviolet irradiation. During this time, animals inhibit movement, feeding, and defecation, behavioral quiescence largely controlled by neuropeptide signaling from the ALA and RIS sleep interneurons. Here, we tested whether egg retention and/or production which occurs during suboptimal environmental conditions, is regulated by the ALA and/or RIS, or other neuropeptides. We find that during stress-induced sleep, worms reduce egg-laying behavior and egg production (i.e., fertility). While the behavior is modestly modified in the absence of the ALA and RIS, as well as some neuropeptides, fertility is regulated by other mechanisms.