The sperm of Apis mellifera siciliana and Apis mellifera ligustica: A preliminary and comparative note. Issue 5 (19th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quartuccio, Marco; Cristarella, Santo; Scrofani, Andrea; Biondi, Vito; De Majo, Massimo; Mannarino, Cornelia; Cravana, Cristina; Medica, Pietro; Fazio, Esterina
• Is Part Of: Journal of apicultural research. Volume 59:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1011
• Page End: 1016
• Publication Date: 2020-10-19
• Subjects: Sicilian black honey bee -- sperm quality -- semen collection -- comparative note; Bee culture -- Periodicals; Bee culture; Periodicals; 638.105
• DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2020.1752465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8839

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative and quantitative changes of sperm viability of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis mellifera siciliana stored at a steady room temperature of 23 °C after manual collection. The characteristics of semen were evaluated within 3–4 h after its collection. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. siciliana averaged 0.92 ± 0.03 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 3.85 ± 0.05 × 10 6 /mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.3 ± 0.82%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 5.30 ± 0.36 h. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. ligustica averaged 0.94 ± 0.05 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 4.59 ± 0.34 × 10 6 /mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.54 ± 0.97%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 4.98 ± 0.49 h. Results showed lower sperm concentration ( p < 0.0001) and higher viability ( p = 0.0036) in sperm of A. m. siciliana than A. m. ligustica. This study provides additional and preliminary information on the sperm quality and quantitative characteristics of A. m. siciliana .