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J Insect Physiol

Title:		Uncoupling fertility from fertility-associated pheromones in worker honeybees (Apis mellifera)
Author(s):		Malka O; Katzav-Gozansky T; Hefetz A;
Address:		"Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel. malkaosn@post.tau.ac.il"
Journal Title:		J Insect Physiol
Year:		2009
Volume:		20090120
Issue:		3
Page Number:		205 - 209
DOI:		10.1016/j.jinsphys.2008.11.002
ISSN/ISBN:		1879-1611 (Electronic) 0022-1910 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Fertility-associated pheromones, chemical signals delineating ovarian development, were favourably selected in the course of evolution because it is in the best interest of both the signallers (in recruiting help from other colony members) and the receivers (in assisting them to reach an informed decision of how to maximize fitness). Such signals therefore should constitute honest, deception-proof indicators of ovarian development, suggesting, theoretically, that the processes of ovarian development and signal production are irreversibly coupled. Here we demonstrate that these processes can be uncoupled by treating queenless (QL) honeybee callow workers with methoprene, a juvenile hormone (JH) analog. While methoprene effectively inhibited ovarian development, it neither inhibited Dufour's fertility signal nor the mandibular glands' dominance signal. In fact, there was even a slight augmentation of both in the methoprene-treated bees. Thus, although fertility and fertility signals are tightly associated, they can be uncoupled by experimental manipulation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ovarian development and fertility-associated signal production are triggered by a common event/signal (e.g. queen pheromone disappearance) but comprise different regulatory systems. The evolutionary implication is that these two traits have evolved independently and may have been co-opted to emphasize the reproductive status of workers in the competition for reproduction"
Keywords:		Analysis of Variance *Animal Communication Animals Bees/drug effects/*physiology *Biological Evolution Female Fertility/drug effects/physiology Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Israel Methoprene/*pharmacology Ovary/drug effects Sex Attractants/*physio;
Notes:		"MedlineMalka, Osnat Katzav-Gozansky, Tamar Hefetz, Abraham eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2008/12/02 J Insect Physiol. 2009 Mar; 55(3):205-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2008.11.002. Epub 2009 Jan 20"