URATE ACCUMULATION AND ADULT LIFE SPAN IN TWO SPECIES OF HABROBRACON

The importance of urate accumulation to duration of life was studied for two species of wasp by consideration of induced and inherent factors that modify the rate of urate accumulation. By means of these variables, it was possible to assess the relevance of a progressive change with time on the duration of life. Without consideration of these experimental variables, adequate assessment was not possible. From this experimental model, an attempt was made to show the limitations in present research methods and to urge the use of environmentally-induced and genetic variability in the study of aging in mammals.