The Ability of Honey Bee Drones to Ejaculate

The effectiveness of two methods of collecting semen from honeybee Apis mellifera drones was compared, and the reasons for problems with ejaculating semen were analysed. Among 275 drones, 100 were stimulated to release semen using a manual method, 100 with the use of chloroform, and from 75 drones the reproductive organs were dissected for analysis and evaluation. It was found that the principal causes of problems that drones had with ejaculating their semen were anatomical changes or a delay in the development of the mucus glands. It was also found that the method employing chloroform was less efficient in the first phase of eversion of the endophallus, compared with the manual method. The method with the use of chloroform allows the determination of the proportion of drones, which do not evert the endophallus because of poor or delayed development of mucus glands, as well as the proportion of drones which evert the organ, but do not ejaculate semen because of the absence of semen in the seminal vesicles

Circular movement of honey bee spermatozoa inside spermatheca

<p>It is believed that in honey bees spermatozoa stored inside the spermatheca remain motionless, however, some studies have reported the contrary. To observe behaviour of spermatozoa inside spermathecae, we have instrumentally inseminated queens with spermatozoa stained with fluorescent stains. During the first 8 h after insemination movement of the spermatozoa was stationary, without fast forward movement. Later, we observed circular movement of the spermatozoa inside spermathecae. Numerous circles were visible at one time. The circles were located close to the spermathecal wall. Movement of the spermatozoa was also observed in spermathecae of naturally inseminated queens. The marble-like pattern of the spermathecae was changing. The changes were slow and well visible only when video recordings were played at high speed.</p