Biology of Honeybee Spermatozoa 2. Effect of Washing and of Sugars on Respiration as Measured by the Cartesian Diver Technique

SummaryWashing honeybee spermatozoa once in tris buffer diluent at pH 7·19 had no significant effect on their oxygen uptake, indicating that the sperm cells are not affected by the procedures normally used for the preparation of sperm suspensions. The addition of glucose, fructose or sorbitol to washed sperm suspensions increased the rate of oxygen consumption significantly in the initial stages. Since these substrates are possibly respired very rapidly by honeybee spermatozoa, they may not constitute a major source of energy for prolonged survival. As they induce motility and are present in the reproductive organs, it is suggested that they may provide an energy source during the migration of sperm cells through the reproductive tract.