Oöcytes degeneration in the queen honey bee after infection by Nosema apis.
Terminal oöcytes containing yolk in both healthy and nosema infected queen honey bees were studied. In the healthy queens the terminal oöcytes exhibited a layer of follicular cells which were covered by a smooth-surfaced ovariole sheath. In the oöplasm were numerous electron-dense yolk granules and lipid yolk droplets. The elecron-dense yolk granules exhibited a crystalline structure. Stacks of endoplasmic reticulum were observed in the yolk granules throughout the oöplasm. Numerous mitochondria possessing well defined cristae were also observed. Oöcytes in the ovary of queen honey bees appeared degenerated after 7 days of infection by Nosema apis. The ovariole sheath was wrinkled. In the oöplasm, yolk granules were broken down into small spheres and granular substances. Numerous ribosomes without stacks of endoplasmic reticulate were observed. Lysosomes were abundant and numerous electron-dense materials surrounded by a membrane were detected. The oöcytes appeared to be extensively autolysed. The significance of these observations is discussed.
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Bee Diseases Research Laboratory, Agriculture Canada Research Station, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada.