1999MNRAS.306L...1D

We show that the inclusion of axion emission during stellar evolution introduces important changes into the evolutionary behaviour of aymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. The mass of the resulting C/O white dwarf (WD) is much lower than the equivalent obtained from standard evolution. This implies a deficit in luminous AGB stars and in massive WDs. Moreover, the total mass processed in the nuclear burning shells that is dredged up to the surface (third D_up) increases when axion emission is included, modifying the chemical composition of the photosphere. We conclude that the AGB is a promising phase with which to put constraints on particle physics.