Biological effects of a 765-kV, 60-Hz transmission line on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.): hemolymph as a possible stress indicator.

Number of circulating hemocytes and hemolymph protein patterns of adult worker honey bees were analyzed as possible indicators of stress resulting from colony placement under a 765-kV transmission line. Although exposure to 55, 80, and 95 microA total induced hive current (THC) produced colony behavioral disturbance, there were no consistent effects on mean hemocyte counts at 55- or 95-microA THC. Age-dependent declines in circulating hemocyte number were similar in all exposure groups. There were no consistent differences in tube-gel electropherograms. No consistent differences were found in two-density slab-gel electropherograms based on ultrasensitive silver stain. The 67 positively charged and four negatively charged protein fractions from overwintering bees are two- to threefold more than currently reported in the literature.