Difference in Cuticle Component and Immunocompetence in Nurse and Forager Worker Honeybee (Apis Mellifera L)

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the difference of physiology between the workerbee nurse and forager (Apis mellifera intermissa). The chosen physiologicalcharacteristics were the component of the cuticle (protein-chitin content) and themeasure of the efficiency of immune system (the total number of haemocytes(THC), the normal haemocytes and the relative mass of fat body). The THC iswidely used as an indicator of cellular immunocompetence of insects. The normalhaemocytes, also referred to immunocytes, indicate the integrity of cellularimmune system. The fat body is an indirect measurement of induced humoralimmunocompetence. The THC and the normal haemocytes were determined by themethod described by Amdam et al., (2004). For the estimation of the cuticularabdominal protein-chitin content, the method described by Berghiche et al., (2007)was employed. The relative mass of fat body was determined using an etherextraction method according to Doums et al., (2002) and Wilson-Rich et al.,(2008).The results show that a considerable percentage of a cuticular protein and adecrease of chitin was observed in nurse compared to forager. The older beesexhibited a strong reduction in the immun parameters.

Segmentation of the subcuticular fat body in Apis mellifera females with different reproductive potentials

“…According to Vincent and Wegst 73 , the protein synthetised in the fat body is responsible for the elasticity of the cuticle. The physicochemical properties of cuticle are especially valuable for workers during flights and activities performed in the nest 74 . Lower protein concentrations in the fat body from the sternite and the third and fifth tergite of queens may be the result of constant feeding with royal jelly.…”

“…5 ). Belaid et al 74 suggest that young bees have larger fat body masses than old ones. We analysed young bees in our research.…”