Nano-selenium and nano-zinc oxide supplementation in syrup on laying area, population size and hsp gene expression of honey bees in hot climate

ABSTRACT. This study was designed to examine the protective effects of nano-selenium and nano-zinc oxide on queen and workers performance under heat stress condition and gene expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) as an index of heat tolerance. Sixty colonies were randomly assigned to five treatments with 12 replicates from June until early September. Sugar syrup (50%) containing no supplement or nano-selenium at levels of 50 and 100 µg L-1 or nano-zinc at levels of 100 and 200 µg L-1 was fed to colonies. Nano-selenium supplementations had no effect, but nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 significantly decreased body malondialdehyde concentration. The highest bee population was seen in nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 and the lowest one in control group. The lowest and the highest body weight, fat and protein deposition was found in group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 and control, respectively. The highest gene expression was for group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1 In group received nano-zinc at level of 100 µg L-1, an increase in hsp70 gene expression was found. In conclusion, nano-zinc oxide at level of 100 µg L-1 could increase queen and worker performance and heat resistance of bees in the hot climate condition.

摘要：本研究旨在探究热胁迫条件下，纳米硒（nano-selenium）与纳米氧化锌（nano-zinc oxide）对蜂王及工蜂生理性能的保护作用，并以热休克蛋白70（hsp70）的基因表达量作为耐热性评价指标。本研究于6月至9月初开展，将60个蜂群随机分为5组，每组设置12个重复。实验向各组蜂群饲喂50%蔗糖糖浆，对照组不添加任何添加剂，其余组分别添加浓度为50、100 μg·L⁻¹的纳米硒，以及100、200 μg·L⁻¹的纳米锌。纳米硒的添加未产生显著影响，但浓度为100 μg·L⁻¹的纳米锌可显著降低蜂体丙二醛含量。浓度为100 μg·L⁻¹的纳米锌组蜂群群势最高，对照组群势最低。蜂体体重、脂肪及蛋白质沉积量的最低值出现在100 μg·L⁻¹纳米锌组，最高值则均见于对照组。hsp70基因表达量最高值同样见于该组，且此组的hsp70基因表达量显著升高。综上，在炎热气候条件下，浓度为100 μg·L⁻¹的纳米氧化锌可提升蜂王与工蜂的生理性能，并增强蜂群的耐热性。