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Apis mellifera semen: bacterial contamination and susceptibility to antibiotics

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to identify the bacterial genera and species present in semen of Apis mellifera and to evaluate the sensitivity of those bacteria to different antibiotics. Mesophilic aerobic and microaerophilic bacteria were characterized in semen samples from different hives, and the number of total viable bacteria per milliliter of semen was determined. Twenty-nine isolates were obtained, and 14 different genera were identified, some of them being monomicrobians and others polymicrobians. Colony-forming units (CFU) were variable from no bacterial development up to 4 × 105 CFU/mL. The most frequent genera were Bacillus and Staphylococcus. All the studied isolates were sensitive to gentamicin and amikacin. Spermatozoa viability in sperm samples diluted in buffer with antibiotic was similar to that of pure semen.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Analía Martínez for collection of the semen for this work, Susana Insúa for technical assistance, and Dr. Carolina Bianchi for the comprehensive lecture and suggestions. This study received financial support from the PROAPI (Integrated Project for Beekeeping Development).

Sperme d ’ Apis mellifera : contamination bactérienne et sensibilité aux antibiotiques.

Apis mellifera / sperme / contenu bactérien / sensibilité aux antibiotiques

Apis mellifera Sperma: Kontamination mit Bakterien und Empfindlichkeit gegenüber Antibiotika

Apis mellifera / Sperma / Bakteriengehalt / Antibiotikaempfindlichkeit

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Paraje Arroyo seco s/n 7000, Tandil, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cecilia Irene Andere, Cristina Monteavaro, María Catena & Edgardo Mario Rodríguez

  2. Unidad Integrada INTA–Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, CC 276. 7600, Balcarce, Argentina

    María Alejandra Palacio

  3. PO Box 806, Kutztown, PA, 19530, USA

    Anita Marguerite Collins

  4. USDA, ARS, Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA

    Anita Marguerite Collins

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  1. Cecilia Irene Andere
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  2. Cristina Monteavaro
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  3. María Alejandra Palacio
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  4. María Catena
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  5. Edgardo Mario Rodríguez
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  6. Anita Marguerite Collins
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Correspondence to Cecilia Irene Andere.

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Manuscript editor: David Tarpy

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Andere, C.I., Monteavaro, C., Palacio, M.A. et al. Apis mellifera semen: bacterial contamination and susceptibility to antibiotics. Apidologie 42, 551–559 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0051-7

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