Changes in Vitellogenin (Vg) and Stress Protein (HSP 70) in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) Groups under Different Diets Linked with Physico-Chemical, Antioxidant and Fatty and Amino Acid Profiles

Abstract

Honey bee colonies are often subjected to diseases, nutrition quality, temperature and other stresses depending on environmental and climatic conditions. As a result of malnutrition, the level of Vg protein decreases, leading to overwintering losses. The Vg values must be high for a successful wintering, especially before wintering. If good nutrition is not reached, the long winter period may cause an increase in colony losses. Supplementary feeding is essential for colony sustainability when floral resources are insufficient, as in recent years with the emerging climate changes. Furthermore, quality food sources or nutrients are significant for maintaining honey bee health and longevity. This study examined the changes in HSP 70 and Vg proteins in 6 groups of 48 colonies fed with five different nutrients. The fatty acids that are present in the highest amount in Cistus creticus (Pink rock-rose), Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy) and mixed pollen samples were linoleic, palmitic and cis-9-oleic acids. The highest values in proline, lysine and glutamic acid were determined in C. creticus pollen. Regarding the P. somniferum pollen, the highest values were observed in lysine, proline, glutamic and aspartic acids. The highest values in lysine, proline, leucine and aspartic acid were noticed in mixed pollen. The effect of different feeding on Vg protein in nurse and forager bee samples was higher in the mixed pollen group in the fall period. In nurse bees, the mixed pollen group was followed by Cistus creticus pollen > Papaver somniferum pollen > sugar syrup > commercial bee cake > control group, respectively (p < 0.05). In forager bees, the order was mixed pollen, P. somniferum pollen, C. creticus pollen, commercial bee cake, sugar syrup and control. In the early spring period, the Vg levels were high in the mixed pollen group in the nurse bees and the commercial bee cake group in the forager bees. In the fall period, the HSP 70 value of the forager and nurse bees was the lowest in the C. creticus group (p < 0.05). In early spring, the active period of flora, a statistical difference was found between the treatment groups.

Changes in Vitellogenin, Abdominal Lipid Content, and Hypopharyngeal Gland Development in Honey Bees Fed Diets with Different Protein Sources

“…For the analysis, the distal end of the bee antennae was cut off with scissors, and each bee was placed upside down in a centrifuge tube for 30 s at 16,000× g. Thereafter, 2 mL of the hemolymph dripping from the antennal tip by centrifugation was diluted with 58 mL of distilled water. The collected samples were analyzed for Vg content using an ELISA kit (VGT-MBS 284624, MyBioSource, San Diego, CA, USA) [36]. Since there is no specific Vg ELISA kit for honey bees yet, the kit prepared for the closest relative, Nosonia vitripensis, was used.…”

“…Then, the abdomens were placed in a tube and shaken in a shaker for 24 h with the addition of 4.5 mL of ethyl ether. The abdomens were then dried for a second time at 45 • C for 3 days, and their weights were determined for a second time (AWSD) [36]. The abdominal lipid content (mg/g) was calculated as follows:…”

“…In a similar study, this value was reported as 2.5-3.0 ng/mL. In another study, it was reported that the Vg content of colonies fed Papaver somniferum (poppy), Cistus creticus (pink spruce), poly-floral pollen, bee cake, and sugar syrup in the fall season and control group colonies ranged from 3.8 to 4.0, 4.0 to 4.2, 4.2 to 4.4, 3.8 to 4.0, 4.0 to 4.4, and 3.8 to 4.0 ng/mL [36].…”

The Impact of Cannabis sativa and Helianthus annuus Plants on Honey bee Colonies (Apis mellifera L.): Varroa destructor Infestation and Performances

“…It is known that colonies with larvae, pupae and adults bee fed with adequate and high quality food are more healthy and productive (Seeley, 1995;Weiss, 2009;Brodschneider & Crailsheim, 2010;Sammatora & Avitabile, 2011;Jennette, 2017;Guler, 2017;Oskay et al, 2020;Li et al, 2022). Genes (AmILP-1, BRP, Vg) and gene expression structures that affect growth, development, behavior and lifespan may vary according to age and food diets (Koru, 2018;Bozkurt et al, 2022). For this reason, the quality and richness of the flora resources in the areas where the colonies are placed contribute not only to their efficiency but also to their health (Winston, 1991;Brodschneider & Crailsheim, 2010;Guler, 2017).…”

Economic Analysis of Honey Bee Colonies Fed with Different Pollen Diets before Wintering

“…Pollen diet plays an important role in the life of honeybees. A balanced diet impacts the physiology, biochemistry, immunity, and histology of workers as well as the development of larvae (Bryś et al, 2021;Topal et al, 2022;Sarioğlu-Bozkurt et al, 2022). For beekeeping's sustainability, it is necessary to cope with emerging nutritional problems.…”