No increase in alcohol dehydrogenase levels following repeated ethanol exposure in young honeybee workers. (16th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miler, Krzysztof; Stec, Daniel; Pardyak, Laura; Kamińska, Alicja; Kuszewska, Karolina
• Is Part Of: Physiological entomology. Volume 47:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2021-12-16
• Subjects: ADH -- alcohol -- alcoholism -- dehydrogenase -- honeybee -- intoxication -- tolerance; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 571.157
• DOI: 10.1111/phen.12380
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-6962

Abstract

Abstract: Some workers of the honeybee show high alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) levels and high resistance to the sedative effects of alcohol, yet it is unknown whether these two issues are directly related. Here we looked for a link between ADH levels and sedation latency in response to alcohol exposure. We used molecular and immunoblotting methods to investigate a possible induction of ADH production in young, ADH‐lacking workers in response to repeated ethanol vapour presentation. Although we found increased sedation latency in individuals after several ethanol encounters, this was not accompanied by detectibly increased ADH levels in such workers. The lack of ethanol‐induced ADH production indicated that it was not needed for increased coping with alcohol inebriation. In this work, we expanded current knowledge about the effects of alcohol on honeybee workers and related it to the existing literature on the subject. Abstract : Bees cope better with the effects of alcohol after encountering it repeatedly. Alcohol dehydrogenase is not needed for this increase in coping ability to occur. Physiological basis of this effect is currently unknown.