Jovanovic Nemanja M, Glavinic Uros, Stevanovic Jevrosima, Ristanic Marko, Vejnovic Branislav, Dolasevic Slobodan, Stanimirovic Zoran
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Insects. 2025 Jan 2;16(1):36. doi: 10.3390/insects16010036.
The honey bee is an important insect pollinator that provides critical pollination services for natural and agricultural systems worldwide. However, inadequate food weakens honey bee colonies, making them vulnerable to various biotic and abiotic factors. In this study, we examined the impact of supplementary feeding on bees' genes for antioxidative enzymes and vitellogenin, oxidative stress parameters, and the hygienic and grooming behavior. The colonies were divided into two experimental groups (with ten hives each): a treatment group that received the plant-based supplement and a control group. The experiment was conducted in two seasons, spring and summer. After the treatment, in both seasons, all the monitored parameters in the treatment group differed from those in the control group. The expression levels of genes for antioxidative enzymes were significantly lower, but the vitellogenin gene transcript level was significantly higher. Values of oxidative stress parameters were significantly lower. The levels of hygienic and grooming behavior were significantly higher. Therefore, our field study indicates that the tested supplement exerted beneficial effects on bees, reflected in reduced oxidative stress and enhanced hygienic and grooming behavior.
蜜蜂是一种重要的昆虫传粉者，为全球自然和农业系统提供关键的授粉服务。然而，食物不足会削弱蜂群，使其易受各种生物和非生物因素的影响。在本研究中，我们研究了补充饲喂对蜜蜂抗氧化酶和卵黄原蛋白基因、氧化应激参数以及卫生和梳理行为的影响。蜂群被分为两个实验组（每组十个蜂箱）：接受植物性补充剂的处理组和对照组。实验在春季和夏季两个季节进行。处理后，在两个季节中，处理组的所有监测参数均与对照组不同。抗氧化酶基因的表达水平显著降低，但卵黄原蛋白基因转录水平显著升高。氧化应激参数值显著降低。卫生和梳理行为水平显著提高。因此，我们的田间研究表明，所测试的补充剂对蜜蜂产生了有益影响，表现为氧化应激降低以及卫生和梳理行为增强。
