Class
Article
College
College of Science
Department
Biology Department
Faculty Mentor
Karen Kapheim
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Male bumblebees play a vital but undervalued role in their colonies. They are important to colony reproduction and success despite not emerging until the end of the colony's life cycle. Little research has been conducted on the biology and the role of male bumblebees. Further understanding could lead to heightened colony success in agricultural and environmental conditions. The objectives of this study are to 1) understand the effect of protein nutrition on the melanization responses of male bumblebees, 2) measure gene expression of various immune genes after an immune challenge with different diet conditions, and 3) further scientific knowledge about male bumblebees. Newly emerged males were collected and stored individually. After 2 days they were placed in treatment groups. The control group was given protein ad libitum and the experimental group was given no protein. After 1 day, a nylon filament coated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is inserted into the abdomen After 4 hours in the incubator, the filament is removed and pictures are taken to measure melanization. The abdomen is then frozen and qPCR is performed for various immune genes for melanization and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). If protein deficiency impairs the immunocompetence of male bumblebees we would expect significantly lower immune activation upon challenge with an LPS-coated nylon filament. More specifically, after an immune challenge we would expect lower levels of melanization on the nylon filament and lower gene expression of most melanization related genes and antimicrobial peptide genes.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2023 12:30 PM
End Date
4-12-2023 1:30 PM
Included in
Protein Nutrition and Immunity in Male Bumblebees of Bombus impatiens
Logan, UT
Male bumblebees play a vital but undervalued role in their colonies. They are important to colony reproduction and success despite not emerging until the end of the colony's life cycle. Little research has been conducted on the biology and the role of male bumblebees. Further understanding could lead to heightened colony success in agricultural and environmental conditions. The objectives of this study are to 1) understand the effect of protein nutrition on the melanization responses of male bumblebees, 2) measure gene expression of various immune genes after an immune challenge with different diet conditions, and 3) further scientific knowledge about male bumblebees. Newly emerged males were collected and stored individually. After 2 days they were placed in treatment groups. The control group was given protein ad libitum and the experimental group was given no protein. After 1 day, a nylon filament coated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is inserted into the abdomen After 4 hours in the incubator, the filament is removed and pictures are taken to measure melanization. The abdomen is then frozen and qPCR is performed for various immune genes for melanization and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). If protein deficiency impairs the immunocompetence of male bumblebees we would expect significantly lower immune activation upon challenge with an LPS-coated nylon filament. More specifically, after an immune challenge we would expect lower levels of melanization on the nylon filament and lower gene expression of most melanization related genes and antimicrobial peptide genes.