Ultrastructure of mitochondria in the corpora allata of honeybees infected by Nosema apis before and after treatment with anti-Nosema drugs.
Ultrastructural differences were observed among mitochondria from the corpora allata of healthy, Nosema-infected, and anti-Nosema drug treated honeybees. Mitochondria in the corpora allata of the healthy honeybees were large in size, possessed well defined membrane, numerous mitochondrial granules and less electron-dense matrix. In the corpora allata of Nosema-infected honeybees, mitochondria were small in size and the mitochondrial matrix had a higher electron density. Mitochondria from the corpora allata of Nosema-infected honeybees after treatment with thimerosal, had a lower electron density in the mitochondrial matrix and a larger diameter than those from untreated honeybees. Mitochondria from fumagillin-treated honeybees had the smallest diameter and the highest electron density in the matrix among mitochondria observed in the present study. Image analysis also confirmed the differences in the electron density of the mitochondrial matrix among mitochondria in the corpora allata of four experimental groups of honey bees.
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Bee Diseases Research Laboratory, Agriculture Canada Research Station, Box 29, Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada T0H 0C0.