Semen quality of honey bee drones maintained from emergence to sexual maturity under laboratory, semi-field and field conditions

Abstract

In order to evaluate the semen quality among honey bee populations, emergent honey bee drones were maintained to sexual maturity for 20 days under laboratory, semi-field, and field conditions. The drones were successfully maintained in laboratory conditions. Drones under laboratory and field conditions presented a lower spermatozoa concentration and lower protein content than those under semi-field conditions. The viability of spermatozoa was higher under laboratory conditions, and the ATP content and the superoxide dismutase activity were higher both under laboratory and field conditions compared to drones kept under semi-field conditions. Hence, our data indicate that the semen quality was similar in drones maintained under laboratory and field conditions.