The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative and quantitative changes of sperm viability of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis mellifera siciliana stored at a steady room temperature of 23 °C after manual collection. The characteristics of semen were evaluated within 3–4 h after its collection. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. siciliana averaged 0.92 ± 0.03 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 3.85 ± 0.05 × 106/mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.3 ± 0.82%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 5.30 ± 0.36 h. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. ligustica averaged 0.94 ± 0.05 μL; the sperm concentration averaged 4.59 ± 0.34 × 106/mL; sperm motility showed a wide range with mean 3.54 ± 0.97%; the longevity/viability test showed variable values averaging 4.98 ± 0.49 h. Results showed lower sperm concentration (p < 0.0001) and higher viability (p = 0.0036) in sperm of A. m. siciliana than A. m. ligustica. This study provides additional and preliminary information on the sperm quality and quantitative characteristics of A. m. siciliana.

中文翻译：

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Apis mellifera siciliana 和 Apis mellifera ligustica 的精子：初步和比较说明

本研究的目的是比较人工采集后在稳定室温 23 °C 下储存的意大利蜜蜂和意大利蜜蜂的精子活力的定性和定量变化。精液的特征在收集后 3-4 小时内进行评估。A. m. 每架雄蜂产生的精液量 siciliana 平均为 0.92 ± 0.03 μL；精子浓度平均为 3.85 ± 0.05 × 106/mL；精子活力范围较广，平均为 3.3 ± 0.82%；寿命/活力测试显示变量值平均为 5.30 ± 0.36 小时。A. m. 每架雄蜂产生的精液量 ligustica 平均为 0.94 ± 0.05 μL；精子浓度平均为 4.59 ± 0.34 × 106/mL；精子活力范围较广，平均为 3.54 ± 0.97%；寿命/活力测试显示变量值平均为 4.98 ± 0.49 小时。结果显示 A. m. 精子的精子浓度较低 (p < 0.0001) 和较高的活力 (p = 0.0036)。西西里纳比 A. m. 意大利语。这项研究提供了关于 A. m. 精子质量和数量特征的额外和初步信息。西西里安娜。