Instrumental insemination of Apis mellifera queens with hetero- and conspecific spermatozoa results in different sperm survival

Abstract

-Sixty three queens of Apis mellifera were inseminated each with about 8 million spermatozoa from either 1 A. mellifera drone, 8 A. cerana, 5 A. dorsata or 20 A. florea drones. Spermatozoa were collected from vesiculae seminales, diluted in buffer and re-concentrated at 1,000 g for 10 minutes. Between 1.4% and 2.8% of the spermatozoa reached the spermatheca. Motility of spermatozoa of A. mellifera and A. cerana did not change within 4 weeks, it was nearly 100%. The motility of A. florea spermatozoa decreased to 83.4% after 3 days and to 33.9% after 4 weeks and motility of A. dorsata spermatozoa decreased to 61.2% after 3 days and to 26% after 4 weeks. Fertilization of A. mellifera eggs was 57% by A. mellifera spermatozoa. Calculation based on non-hatching eggs showed that about 40% were fertilized by A. cerana and A. florea and less than 20% by A. dorsata spermatozoa. The composition of spermathecal fluid seems to be different within the species and its significance for long term sperm storage is discussed. sperm survival / spermathecal fluid / hetero specific insemination / Apis mellifera queens / Apis species

Sperm viability in the male accessory testes and female spermathecae of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

“…At least in the honeybee, Apis mellifera L., spermatozoa from conspecific males remain motile for longer (after artificial insemination) than those from heterospecific males (Phiancharoen et al, 2004). Our data for B. terrestris did not show any differences between inter-vs. intra-regional matings (from both sides of the Alps), which we assumed would reveal mating incompatibilities.…”

Comparison studies of instrumentally inseminated and naturally mated honey bee queens and factors affecting their performance

“…The spermathecal fluid contains proteins, sugars and antioxidants, and the surrounding tracheal net provides oxygen (Koeniger, 1986;Phiancharoen et al, 2004). The physical and chemical properties of diluents; pH, osmolarity and nutrients, and the handling methods can enhance or reduce sperm cell survival (Verma, 1978;Moritz, 1984;Harbo, 1986b;Collins, 2000a).…”

Differences in drone and worker physiology in honeybees (Apis mellifera)

“…A mated queen stores the sperm throughout her life in the spermatheca and keeps it viable there, long after the drone has passed away (Klenk et al, 2004;Phiancharoen et al, 2004). To mate, a drone must find an airborne queen at a drone congregation area and then compete with hundreds of other drones (Gary, 1963;Ruttner and Ruttner, 1972;Page, 1986;Koeniger, 1988;Berg et al, 1997).…”