Functional characterisation of semen in honeybee queen ( A.m.ligustica S.) spermatheca and efficiency of the diluted semen technique in instrumental insemination

Abstract

Differences over time in the quality of semen present in the honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) queen spermatheca were studied. An increase in the non-vital spermatozoa was shown to be evident (P>0.05) between the 12th and 24th month. The study of semen viability demonstrated that the passage of the semen to the spermatheca is due to sperm motility. In the queen inseminated with non-viable spermatozoa, no semen was detected in the spermatheca. Queens inseminated twice with a Hyes solution/semen mixture (1:1) stored as many spermatozoa in their spermatheca as those inseminated once with the classic technique. Queen replacement, oviposition and other functional characteristics were similar to those observed in the classic insemination procedure.