The venom gland of queens of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae): morphology and secretory cycle.
Micron
; 37(8): 717-23, 2006.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16638637
The venom gland of queens of Apis mellifera was examined through light and transmission electron microscopy and subjected to electrophoretic analyses. Virgin queens exhibited prismatic secretory cells containing large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae, open secretory spaces, numerous vacuoles and granules scattered in the cytoplasm, and spherical nuclei with numerous nucleoli. The secretion produced was non-refringent under polarized light and the electrophoretic analysis of glandular extracts revealed five main protein bands. In mated queens, the venom gland exhibited a high degree of degeneration. Its secretion was refringent under polarized light and one of the main bands was absent in the electrophoretic pattern obtained. The morphological aspects observed are in agreement with the function of this gland in queens, given that virgin queens use venom in battles for the dominance of the colony, a situation that occurs as soon as they emerge, while fertilized queens rarely use venom.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Venenos de Abelha
/
Abelhas
/
Glândulas Exócrinas
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Micron
Assunto da revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil
País de publicação:
Reino Unido