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Histopathological Findings in Testes from Apparently Healthy Drones of Apis mellifera ligustica.

Authors :
Martano, Manuela
Power, Karen
Maiolino, Paola
Altamura, Gennaro
Source :
Veterinary Sciences; Sep2020, Vol. 7 Issue 3, p1-10, 10p
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

It is well known that factors acting on the decrease of population of honeybees, can act on the male and female reproductive system, compromising the fertility of queens and drones. While there are many studies on female fertility, only a few studies have focused on male fertility and the possible alterations of the reproductive system. The testes of 25 samples of adult drones of Apis mellifera ligustica were analyzed by histopathology using an innovative histological processing technique and the alterations that were found are here described. Most of the samples showed unaltered testes but, in some cases, samples showed degenerated seminiferous tubules, while others appeared immature. Although a limited number of samples were analyzed, the results obtained displayed that histopathological alterations of the testes exist also in honeybees and that more interest should be put to the matter, as honeybees could be considered as bioindicators for endocrine disruptors. Future studies on a larger number of samples are necessary to analyze how different environmental factors can act and induce alterations in the honeybee reproductive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23067381
Volume :
7
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Veterinary Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
146050356
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7030124