Microbiota Analysis of Ejaculated Honey Bee Drone Semen and the Effect of Semen Collection Method on Bacterial Loads.

ABSTRACT: Artificial insemination in queen honey bees is the only tool that provides complete control over mating for research and breeding purposes, making it essential in genetic improvement and conservation programs in this species. The aims of this study were to characterize drone semen bacterial loads by culture-dependent and independent methods and to describe their variation depending on the method of semen collection, the colony and the apiary. In the first experiment, the bacterial loads of semen collected from the seminal vesicles or from ejaculates was studied using culture-dependent methods. The collection method had a significant influence on the overall bacterial count in semen. Out of the 42 semen samples analyzed, 26 (61.9%) tested positive for bacterial isolation. This encompassed t

SUBMITTER: Yaniz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11203891 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature