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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Baton Rouge, Louisiana » Honey Bee Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #355890
Title: Advances in honeybee drone sperm quality assays

Author
item JENKINS, JILL - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item De Guzman, Lilia

Submitted to: Animal Reproduction Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2018
Publication Date: 8/10/2018
Citation: Jenkins, J.A., De Guzman, L.I. 2018. Advances in honeybee drone sperm quality assays. Animal Reproduction Science. 194:e22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.04.049.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.04.049

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The development of a full panel of sperm quality assays for the honeybee (Apis mellifera) would be useful for not only understanding the reproductive fitness of drones, but also in describing the health of the queens, partially defined by spermatheca sperm counts and viability. Assays can be applied for research and commercial breeding operations, where the demand for pollination services has been difficult to meet because of increased colony losses. Additionally, bioassessments of sperm can be related to ecosystem condition due to alterations of the landscape, especially because honeybees are non-target insects to pesticides and thrive better in biodiverse habitats. The goal of this study was to develop an andrology panel as a foundation upon which hypotheses directed at honeybee fitness, conservation, and ecosystem services can be developed. The unique nature of the sperm cell, being 200m long and with no discernable nuclear head, presents challenges for methodologies typically used with domestic animals. Cell viability based on nucleic acid stains can be inaccurate due to interfering bacteria, prevalent in samples. Cell length disallows computer-assisted motility assessment in currently available chamber slides. Motility is not based on mitochondria, and is undulating and circular, not progressive. Acrosomal proteins are identifiable and may be diagnostic of varroa mite (Varroa destructor) parasitism, the number one problem for U.S. beekeepers. Cryopreservation of bee semen, as well as characterization of sperm quality prior to – and after thaw, has remained a challenge with this species, although the need is apparent with current dynamic environmental changes. Highlights of studies will be discussed relative to pertinent cellular characteristics. (Supported by USGS Ecosystems Mission Area and Innovation Center.)