Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Vitellogenin Metabolism in Unmated Queen Honeybees

Summary

Sixty-one young virgin queen honeybees (Apis mellifera adansonii hybrids) received a double CO₂ narcosis, as usually applied in instrumental insemination. These (non-inseminated) queens were then introduced into nucleus colonies. Within 2 days of the second CO₂ treatment vitellogenin synthesis was stimulated rapidly, resulting in a doubling of the vitellogenin content of the haemolymph. A further slow increase of vitellogenin synthesis during the next 6 days indicated the initiation of vitellogenesis, which resulted a slight decline in the vitellogenin content of the haemolymph, and also an increase of about 50% in the body weight. All values levelled off in egg-laying queens.

The effects described did not occur in 8 control queens which remained caged after the second CO₂ a application. It is therefore concluded that there was social conditioning of the queen's vitellogenin metabolism.