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Chapman A, McAfee A, Tarpy DR, Fine J, Rempel Z, Peters K, Currie R, Foster LJ. Common viral infections inhibit egg laying in honey bee queens and are linked to premature supersedure. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17285. [PMID: 39068210 PMCID: PMC11283550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66286-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
With their long lives and extreme reproductive output, social insect queens have escaped the classic trade-off between fecundity and lifespan, but evidence for a trade-off between fecundity and immunity has been inconclusive. This is in part because pathogenic effects are seldom decoupled from effects of immune induction. We conducted parallel, blind virus infection experiments in the laboratory and in the field to interrogate the idea of a reproductive immunity trade-off in honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens and to better understand how these ubiquitous stressors affect honey bee queen health. We found that queens injected with infectious virus had smaller ovaries and were less likely to recommence egg-laying than controls, while queens injected with UV-inactivated virus displayed an intermediate phenotype. In the field, heavily infected queens had smaller ovaries and infection was a meaningful predictor of whether supersedure cells were observed in the colony. Immune responses in queens receiving live virus were similar to queens receiving inactivated virus, and several of the same immune proteins were negatively associated with ovary mass in the field. This work supports the hypothesized relationship between virus infection and symptoms associated with queen failure and suggests that a reproductive-immunity trade-off is partially, but not wholly responsible for these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Chapman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Alison McAfee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - David R Tarpy
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Julia Fine
- Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Zoe Rempel
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Kira Peters
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Rob Currie
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Leonard J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Li WL, Huang Q, Li JL, Wu P, Wei B, Li XJ, Tang QH, Dong ZX, Xiong J, Tang H, Zhang J, Zhao CH, Cao Z, Chen Y, Zhao WZ, Wang K, Guo J. Gut microbiota-driven regulation of queen bee ovarian metabolism. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0214523. [PMID: 37750696 PMCID: PMC10581225 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02145-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
With the global prevalence of Varroa mites, more and more beekeepers resort to confining the queen bee in a queen cage to control mite infestation or to breed superior and robust queen bees. However, the impact of such practices on the queen bee remains largely unknown. Therefore, we subjected the queen bees to a 21-day egg-laying restriction treatment (from the egg stage to the emergence of adult worker bees) and analyzed the queen bees' ovarian metabolites and gut microbiota after 21 days, aiming to assess the queen bees' quality and assist beekeepers in better hive management. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in the relative expression levels of Vg and Hex110 genes in the ovaries of egg laying-restricted queen bees compared to unrestricted egg-laying queens. The diversity of gut microbiota in the queen bee exhibited a notable decrease, accompanied by corresponding changes in the core bacteria of the microbial community, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium increased from 22.34% to 53.14% (P = 0.01) and from 0.053% to 0.580% (P = 0.04), respectively. The relative abundance of Bombella decreased from 25.85% to 1.720% (P = 0.002). Following egg-laying restriction, the activity of the queen bee's ovaries decreased, while the metabolism of glycerophospholipids remained or stored more lipid molecules, awaiting environmental changes for the queen bee to resume egg laying promptly. Furthermore, we observed that Bombella in the queen bee's gut may regulate the queen's ovarian metabolism through tryptophan metabolism. These findings provide novel insights into the interplay among queen egg laying, gut microbiota, and ovarian metabolism. IMPORTANCE With Varroa mite infestation, beekeepers often confine the queen bee in cages for control or breeding. However, the impact on the queen bee is largely unknown. We evaluated queen bee quality by restricting egg laying and analyzing ovarian metabolites and gut microbiota. In this study, we provided a comprehensive explanation of the expression of ovarian genes, the diversity of gut microbiota, and changes in ovarian metabolism in the queen bee. Through integrated analysis of the queen bee's gut microbiota and ovarian metabolism, we discovered that the gut microbiota can regulate the queen bee's ovarian metabolism. These findings provide valuable insights into the interplay among egg laying, gut microbiota, and the reproductive health of the queen bee. Understanding these relationships can contribute to the development of better strategies for Varroa mite control and queen bee breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Li Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Jia-Li Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Ping Wu
- Nanchuan District Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Bangrong Wei
- Chongqing Nanchuan District Livestock, Veterinary and Fishery Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xi-Jie Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Qi-He Tang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Dong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Jian Xiong
- Yunnan Zhongfeng Technology Development Co. Ltd., Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hong Tang
- Chongqing Nanchuan Bee Breeding Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Chong-Hui Zhao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Zhe Cao
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Pujia Life Technology (Fuzhou) Co., LTD, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wen-zheng Zhao
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Heilongtan, North Suburb, China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan province, China
- Yunnan Zhongfeng Technology Development Co. Ltd., Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Cullen G, Gilligan JB, Guhlin JG, Dearden PK. Germline progenitors and oocyte production in the honeybee queen ovary. Genetics 2023; 225:iyad138. [PMID: 37487025 PMCID: PMC10471204 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the reproduction of honeybee queens is crucial to support populations of this economically important insect. Here we examine the structure of the honeybee ovary to determine the nature of the germline progenitors in the ovary. Using a panel of marker genes that mark somatic or germline tissue in other insects we determine which cells in the honeybee ovary are somatic and which germline. We examine patterns of cell division and demonstrate that, unlike Drosophila, there is no evidence of single germline stem cells that provide the germline in honeybees. Germline progenitors are clustered in groups of 8 cells, joined by a polyfusome, and collections of these, in each ovariole, appear to maintain the germline during reproduction. We also show that these 8-cell clusters can divide and that their division occurs such that the numbers of germline progenitors are relatively constant over the reproductive life of queen honeybees. This information helps us to understand the diversity of structures in insect reproduction, and provide information to better support honeybee reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Cullen
- Laboratory for Evolution and Development, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Joshua B Gilligan
- Laboratory for Evolution and Development, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
- Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Joseph G Guhlin
- Laboratory for Evolution and Development, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Laboratory for Evolution and Development, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
- Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
- Genomics Aotearoa, Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, Aotearoa-New Zealand
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Zavodska R, Sehadova H. The rate of DNA synthesis in ovaries, fat body cells, and pericardial cells of the bumblebee ( Bombus terrestris) depends on the stage of ovarian maturation. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1034584. [PMID: 37113694 PMCID: PMC10126488 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1034584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bumblebees are important pollinators of plants worldwide and they are kept for commercial pollination. By studying the process of oogenesis, we can understand their ontogenetic developmental strategy and reproduction. We describe the anatomy of the ovary of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris using 3D reconstruction by confocal microscopy. We found that an oocyte is accompanied by 63 endopolyploidy nurse cells. The number of nurse cells nuclei decreased during oogenesis and the cells are finally absorbed by the oocyte. We monitored the rate of DNA synthesis in vivo during 12 h in ovaries, fat body, and pericardial cells in B. terrestris queens and workers of different ages. The DNA replication activity was detected on the basis of visualization of incorporated 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine. DNA synthesis detected in differentiated nurse cells indicated endoreplication of nuclei. The dynamics of mitotic activity varied among different ages and statuses of queens. In 3- to 8-day-old virgin queens, intense mitotic activity was observed in all tissue types investigated. This might be related to the initial phase of oogenesis and the development of the hepato-nephrotic system. In 15- to 20-day-old mated pre-diapause queens, DNA synthesis was exclusively observed in the ovaries, particularly in the germarium and the anterior part of the vitellarium. In 1-year-old queens, replication occurred only in the peritoneal sheath of ovaries and in several cells of the fat body. The similar DNA synthesis patterns in the ovaries of mated pre-diapause queens, ovipositing workers, and non-egg-laying workers show that mitotic activity is related not only to age but also to the stage of ovarian maturation and is relatively independent of caste affiliation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radka Zavodska
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Radka Zavodska, ; Hana Sehadova,
| | - Hana Sehadova
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Budejovice, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Radka Zavodska, ; Hana Sehadova,
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