Imidacloprid Induces Histopathological Damage in the Midgut, Ovary, and Spermathecal Stored Spermatozoa of Queens After Chronic Colony Exposure
Daiani Rodrigues Moreira, Tuan Henrique Smielevski de Souza, Douglas Galhardo, Sandra Milena Diaz Puentes, Cinthia Leão Figueira, Breno Gabriel da Silva, Francieli das Chagas, Adriana Aparecida Sinópolis Gigliolli, Vagner de Alencar Arnaut de Toledo, Maria Cláudia Colla Ruvolo-Takasusuki
Abstract
Abstract Bee colony health is declining as a result of several factors, including exposure to pesticides. The development and strength of honey bee colonies depend on the reproductive success of queen bees. Because flowers are sources of food for bees, foragers can accidentally collect and carry contaminated pollen and nectar to their hives; and this may compromise the longevity and the life span of individuals. Thus, the present study aimed to observe the action of imidacloprid in the midgut and ovaries of Apis mellifera queens, as well as the effects on sperm stored in their spermatheca. To this end, the apiary was divided into three experimental groups: control, commercial imidacloprid, and active ingredient imidacloprid. For toxicity assays, a sucrose solution containing 1 µg/L of imidacloprid was offered to the colonies for 42 days. A control group received only food in the same period. In both treatments with imidacloprid, the midgut of queens showed modifications in the external musculature and cellular alterations. Such changes could lead to the nonrecovery of the epithelium and subsequently malabsorption of nutrients. Moreover, the digestive cells of queen bees exposed to the commercial imidacloprid presented pyknotic nuclei, suggesting a cell death process. The main alterations observed in the ovaries of these reproductive bees treated with commercial imidacloprid were degeneration and resorption of the ovariole content, which probably affected their fertilization and colony development. There were no significant changes in the spermatozoa morphology for both treatments with imidacloprid, but this insecticide may interfere with the development and reproductive success of A. mellifera colonies because it affects the morphology and function of essential organs for the survival of queens. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1637–1648. SETAC Abstract Africanized Apis mellifera bee colonies were exposed to imidacloprid (pure ingredient and commercial formulation) in the field for 42 days. Such chronic exposure damaged cells in the midgut of queen bees and affected the reproductive success of colonies because of the alterations in the ovaries of these queens. The spermatozoa stored in spermatheca were not affected by the neonicotinoid. IMI = imidacloprid.