Year 2017, Volume 2, Issue 2
| Year : | 2017 |
| Volume : | 2 |
| Issue : | 2 |
| Authors : | Messaouda BELAID, Fatma ACHEUK, Hakima OULBSIR-MOHAND KACI, Malika BENNOUR-ABBAD |
| Title : | DIFFERENCE IN CUTICLE COMPONENT AND IMMUNOCOMPETENCE IN NURSE AND FORAGER WORKER HONEYBEE (APIS MELLIFERA L.) |
| Abstract : | The aim of this work is to study the difference of physiology between the worker bee nurse and forager (Apis mellifera intermissa). The chosen physiological characteristics were the component of the cuticle (protein-chitin content) and the measure of the efficiency of immune system (the total number of haemocytes (THC), the normal haemocytes and the relative mass of fat body). The THC is widely used as an indicator of cellular immunocompetence of insects. The normal haemocytes, also referred to immunocytes, indicate the integrity of cellular immune system. The fat body is an indirect measurement of induced humoral immunocompetence. The THC and the normal haemocytes were determined by the method described by Amdam et al., (2004). For the estimation of the cuticular abdominal protein-chitin content, the method described by Berghiche et al., (2007) was employed. The relative mass of fat body was determined using an ether extraction method according to Doums et al., (2002) and Wilson-Rich et al., (2008). The results show that a considerable percentage of a cuticular protein and a decrease of chitin was observed in nurse compared to forager. The older bees exhibited a strong reduction in the immun parameters. |
| For citation : | Belaid, M., Acheuk, F., Oulbsir-Mohand Kaci, H., Bennour-Abbad, M. (2017). Difference in cuticle component and immunocompetence in nurse and forager worker honeybee (Apis mellifera L). AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 2. Issue No. 2. pp. 47-55. DOI: 10.7251/AGRENG1702047B |
| Keywords : | Apis mellifera intermissa, cuticle component, immunocompetence |
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ISSN 2490-3434 (Printed)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
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