Publication details
Kvalita spermií trubců včely medonosné jako indikátor zdraví včelstev
| Title in English | Sperm quality of honey bee drones as an indicator of colony health |
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Citation | |
| Description | Protection of bees has become an increasingly important topic in recent years for both scientists and the general public, particularly due to the weakening of bee colonies caused by various factors. Among the most significant of these is parasitism by the mite Varroa destructor. While the impact of this parasite on the physiological and immune parameters of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) is relatively well documented, information concerning drones remains insufficient. Drones, which are present in the colony for only a limited period, are particularly susceptible to infestation by Varroa mites and the viral diseases they transmit, posing a significant risk to colony reproduction. Infection may lead to damage to the structure of drone sperm or their genetic material, thereby reducing their reproductive capacity. In the current project, we therefore focused on investigating the reproductive capabilities of drones, particularly the quality of their sperm. The aim of our project is to determine sperm parameters in healthy, non-parasitized drones. Both freshly collected and frozen samples of drone sperm were tested using selected staining methods—eosin, methylene blue, trypan blue, and nigrosin. All staining techniques were compared based on their ability to distinguish individual sperm cells and identify their structures, especially the acrosome and the head. Microscopic analysis was used to assess both the quantity and morphology of sperm. Even in healthy drones, abnormalities may occur, such as duplication or damage of flagella. However, it is assumed that the occurrence of abnormalities may differ significantly in infected drones. In addition, sperm were observed in a hypotonic environment, where healthy sperm curl their flagellum, confirming proper membrane function and viability. The obtained results will be used in the following beekeeping season, during which sperm parameters of drones infested with Varroa will be compared with those of healthy drones from colonies treated against varroosis. This research is supported by the project of the National Agency for Agricultural Research QL24010241. |
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