Queens of many social hymenoptera keep sperm alive within their specialized storage organ, the spermatheca, for years, defying the typical trade-off between lifespan and reproduction. However, whether honey bee queens experience a trade-off between reproduction and immunity is unknown, and the biochemical processes underlying sperm viability are poorly understood. Here, we survey quality metrics and viral loads of honey bee queens from nine genetic sources. Queens rated as 'failed' by beekeepers had lower sperm viability, fewer sperm, and higher levels of SBV and BQCV. Quantitative proteomics on N = 123 spermathecal fluid samples shows, after accounting for sperm count, health status, and apiary effects, five spermathecal fluid proteins significantly correlating with sperm viability: odorant binding protein (OBP)14, lysozyme, serpin 88Ea, artichoke, and heat-shock protein (HSP)10. The significant negative correlation of lysozyme - a conserved immune effector - with sperm viability is consistent with a reproduction vs. immunity trade-off in honey bee queens.

中文翻译：

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蜂皇后（Apis mellifera）精子活力与免疫蛋白表达之间的权衡

许多社交膜翅目昆虫的女王将精子在其专门的储存器官-精子中存活了数年之久，无视寿命和生殖之间的典型权衡。但是，尚不清楚蜂皇是否会在繁殖和免疫力之间进行权衡，对精子活力的生化过程了解甚少。在这里，我们调查了来自9种遗传资源的蜂皇后的质量指标和病毒载量。被养蜂人评为“失败”的皇后区的精子生存能力较低，精子较少，SBV和BQCV水平较高。N = 123个精液样本中的定​​量蛋白质组学显示，在考虑了精子数量，健康状况和养蜂作用后，与精子活力显着相关的5种精液蛋白：气味结合蛋白（OBP）14，溶菌酶，丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂88Ea，朝鲜蓟和热激蛋白（HSP）10。保守的免疫效应物溶菌酶与精子活力的显着负相关，与蜂皇后繁殖与免疫权衡有关。