Protein feed stimulates the development of mandibular glands of honey bees (Apis mellifera). Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camilli, Marcelo P; de Barros, Daniel C B; Justulin, Luis A; Tse, Marcos L P; Orsi, Ricardo de Oliveira
• Is Part Of: Journal of apicultural research. Volume 60:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 165
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: beekeeping -- morphology -- nutrition -- protein -- royal jelly -- supplementation; Bee culture -- Periodicals; Bee culture; Periodicals; 638.105
• DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2020.1778922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8839

Abstract

Abstract : This study assessed the effects of different protein levels on the development of the mandibular gland (MG) in six-day-old worker bees ( Apis mellifera ) during the dearth period. Twenty colonies were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets containing 0%, 23%, 25%, or 27% crude protein (CP), with five replicates each. The experimental diets were composed of feed meal and honey sirup. Each colony was provided with 30 g of formulated feed every 3 days over a 36-day period. At the end of the experimental period, ten six-day-old worker bees were collected from each treatment for the morphological analysis of their MGs. The area of the MG was significantly larger in the bees fed protein-enriched feeds than in the controls. The height of the secretory cells in the MG was also significantly greater in all colonies fed protein-enriched feed than in the control group. However, the group that received the feed with 23% CP had significantly taller secretory cells than the other groups. Based on regression analysis, the ideal level of protein in the diet for the development of the MG was 22.2% CP. Thus, the use of protein-enriched feed promotes greater increases in the area and height of secretory MG cells in six-day-old honey bee workers.