A scientific note on DNA fragmentation rates in sperm collected from drones and spermathecae of queens of different age, with possible implications on the scattered brood phenomenon

Borsuk, Grzegorz; Kozlowska, M.; Anusiewicz, Marcin; Olszewski, Krzysztof

doi:10.1007/s13592-018-0603-1

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…In addition to viability and motility of sperm, for 30 years, researchers have been investigating impact of sperm DNA fragmentation on the success of fertilization (Borsuk et al., 2018; Evenson et al., 1980; Evenson & Wixon, 2005; Fernández et al., 2003; Gosálvez et al., 2010). Numerous studies indicate that in some human patients, DNA is altered and have single‐ and double‐strand breaks (Lewis et al., 2013; McEvoy et al., 2014; Nicopoullos et al., 2008).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite all the biological mechanisms to protect sperm, DNA fragmentation induced by environmental stresses (e.g. heat stress; Borsuk et al., 2018) may occur. High temperatures activate nucleases present in the spermatic fluid, and therefore increase the rate of chromatin fragmentation (Pruski et al., 2009).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite all the biological mechanisms to protect sperm, DNA fragmentation induced by environmental stresses (e.g. heat stress; Borsuk et al, 2018) may occur.…”

Section: Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mating under climate change: Impact of simulated heatwaves on the reproduction of model pollinators

et al. 2020

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Climate change is related to an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme events such as heatwaves. It is well established that such events may worsen the current world‐wide biodiversity decline. In many organisms, heat stress is associated with direct physiological perturbations and could lead to a decrease of fitness. In contrast to endotherms, heat stress resistance has been poorly investigated in heterotherms; especially in insects, in which the internal physiological mechanisms available to regulate body temperature are almost negligible making them sensitive to extreme temperature variations. Wild bees are crucial pollinators for wild plants and crops. Among them, bumblebees are experiencing a strong decline across the world. Therefore, the ongoing global decline of these insect pollinators partly due to climate change could cause major economic issues. Here we assess how simulated heatwaves impact fertility and attractiveness (key parameters of sustainability) of bumblebee males. We used three model species: Bombus terrestris, a widespread and warm‐adapted species, B. magnus and B. jonellus, two declining and cold‐adapted species. We highlight that heat shock (40°C) negatively affects sperm viability and sperm DNA integrity only in the two cold‐adapted species. Heat shock can also impact the structure of cephalic labial glands and the production of pheromones only in the declining species. The specific disruption in key reproductive traits we identify following simulated heatwave conditions could provide one important mechanistic explanation for why some pollinators are in decline through climate change. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mating under climate change: Impact of simulated heatwaves on the reproduction of model pollinators

et al. 2020

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“…Unfortunately, studies paid scant attention to the sperm DNA fragmentation alongside drone age in bees. Currently, we only know that 14-day-old honeybee drones possess significantly higher DNA fragmentation rates in sperm than those collected directly from queens of different ages [80], hence, it is meaningful to explore the DNA fragmentation rate in male bees from different age and the connection with sperm quality. Studies in the bumblebee B. terrestris have noted that age and weight influence the duration of copulation.…”

Section: Influence Of the Internal Environment On The Sperm Quality Of Drones 41 Age And Birth Weightmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing the Reproductive Ability of Male Bees: Current Knowledge and Further Directions

Zhao

Mashilingi

Liu

et al. 2021

Insects

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Bumblebees and honeybees are very important pollinators and play a vital role in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The quality of their colonies is determined by the queens and the reproductive drones of mother colonies, and mated drones transmit semen, including half of the genetic materials, to queens and enhance their fertility. Therefore, factors affecting drone fecundity will also directly affect progeny at the colony level. Here, we review environmental and bee-related factors that are closely related to drone reproductive ability. The environmental factors that mainly affect the sperm count and the viability of males include temperature, nutrients and pesticides. In addition, the inherent characteristics of male bees, such as body size, weight, age, seminal fluid proteins and proteins of the spermathecal fluid, contribute to mating success, sperm quality during long-term storage in the spermathecae and the reproductive behaviors of queens. Based on the results of previous studies, we also suggest that the effects of somatotype dimorphism in bumblebee males on sperm quality and queen fecundity and the indispensable and exploitable function of gland proteins in the fecundity of males and queens should be given more attention in further studies.

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“…The TUNEL has been assayed in the honey bee to quantify DNA breakage caused by the cryopreservation procedure, although no clear increase was observed when compared to fresh semen samples [95]. Using the SCD test, a lower DNA fragmentation was observed in the sperm stored in the spermatheca than in the drone ejaculate [115]. The same technique was also used to demonstrate that N. ceranae infection causes sperm DNA damage in drones [116].…”

Section: Dna Fragmentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm Quality Assessment in Honey Bee Drones

Yániz

Silvestre

Santolaria

2020

Biology

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The quality of honey bee drone semen is relevant in different contexts, ranging from colony productivity to pathology, toxicology and biodiversity preservation. Despite its importance, considerably less knowledge is available on this subject for the honey bee when compared to other domestic animal species. A proper assessment of sperm quality requires a multiple testing approach which discriminates between the different aspects of sperm integrity and functionality. Most studies on drone semen quality have only assessed a few parameters, such as sperm volume, sperm concentration and/or sperm plasma membrane integrity. Although more recent studies have focused on a broader variety of aspects of semen quality, some techniques currently used in vertebrates, such as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) or multiparametric sperm quality testing, still remain to be developed in the honey bee. This may be attributed to the particular sperm morphology and physiology in this species, requiring the development of technologies specifically adapted to it. This article reviews the present knowledge of sperm quality in honey bee drones, highlighting its peculiarities and proposing future lines of research.

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A scientific note on DNA fragmentation rates in sperm collected from drones and spermathecae of queens of different age, with possible implications on the scattered brood phenomenon

Cited by 4 publications

References 33 publications

Mating under climate change: Impact of simulated heatwaves on the reproduction of model pollinators

Mating under climate change: Impact of simulated heatwaves on the reproduction of model pollinators

Factors Influencing the Reproductive Ability of Male Bees: Current Knowledge and Further Directions

Sperm Quality Assessment in Honey Bee Drones

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