Testis development and spermatogenesis in drones of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.

Author(s)

Lago, Denyse C. ^[1] ; Martins, Juliana R. ^{[1, 2]} ; Dallacqua, Rodrigo P. ^{[3, 4]} ; Santos, Douglas Elias ^{[5, 6]} ; Bitondi, Marcia M. G. ^[7] ; Hartfelder, Klaus ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Programa Posgrad Genet, Av Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Alfenas, Inst Ciencias Biomedias, Dept Biol Celular & Desenvolvimento, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva 700, BR-37130001 Alfenas, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Programa Posgrad Biol Comparada, Av Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Setor Biol Geral, Av Costa & Silva S-N, BR-79070900 Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol Celular & Mol & Bioagentes Patogen, Av Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[6] Lab Reg Ipora SANEAGO, Av 24 Outubro 1, BR-76200000 Ipora, Go - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Av Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Apidologie; v. 51, n. 6 MAY 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Like Apis mellifera queens and different from all other bees, drones also have an exaggerated gonad phenotype, with over 150 serial units in each gonad. Yet, compared with the ovaries of the female castes, little is known about the development of the honey bee testis. Here we present a histological atlas on postembryonic testis development and spermatogenesis. Already in the first instar larvae, the testioles composing each testis can be distinguished. The testioles then grow along their apical-basal axis by mitotic divisions of the spermatogonia, which eventually form germ cell clusters. Meiosis starts when brood cells are capped, and it ends with the appearance of spermatids in red-eyed pupae. Subsequently, spermiogenesis takes place, and all spermatozoa are formed before adult emergence. We also present the first data on juvenile hormone levels in drone larvae. With this, we provide a database for future research on gonad development in honey bee drones. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/16622-9 - Differentially expressed genes during gonad development in the female castes and drones of the honey bee (Apis mellifera)
• Grantee: Denyse Cavalcante Lago
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 09/15772-3 - Caste-specific molecular determinants of ovary development in the honey bee, Apis mellifera.
• Grantee: Rodrigo Pires Dallacqua
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/09128-0 - Molecular basis of the disruption in the reproduction-longevity trade-off syndrome in the social insect model organism Apis mellifera
• Grantee: Klaus Hartmann Hartfelder
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants