This study suggests that there may be a negative effect on weight and longevity when bees (workers) are treated with an antibiotic while trying to digest pollen.
> The data confirm that pollen has a positive effect on longevity and body weight in workers with an unmanipulated gut microbiota. Surprisingly, the antibiotics alone also improved the longevity and body weight of the workers fed a strictly sucrose diet, potentially explained by the reduction of harmful bacteria. However, this positive effect was reversed from an observed antagonistic interaction between pollen and antibiotics, underscoring the innate value of natural microbiota on pollen digestion. In conclusion, a combination of adequate pollen supply and an unmanipulated gut microbiota appears crucial to honey bee worker health, calling for respective efforts to ensure both in managed colonies.
> In conclusion, this study adds to the evidence of beneficial effects of pollen supply on health parameters in honey bee workers in the presence of a functional gut microbiota. Beyond that, it also revealed a potential of harm of pollen access in antibiotic-treated workers with a compromised gut microbiota. This aspect and underlying mechanisms require further investigation and should be considered when honey bees and honey bee colonies are treated (preventively) with antibiotics against pathogens.
>Brown, A. F., Rodriguez, V., Brzoska, C., Pfister, J., Neumann, P., & Retschnig, G. (2022). Dream Team for Honey Bee Health: Pollen and Unmanipulated Gut Microbiota Promote Worker Longevity and Body Weight. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.864741
>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.864741/full
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