> Emerging honey bees were exposed to different pollen diets using no-choice feeding protocols (chronic exposure) in controlled laboratory conditions and we aimed at documenting potential mechanisms underneath the CCRI41 antifeedant effect previously reported. Activity of midgut proteolytic enzyme of young adult honey bees fed on CCRI41 cotton pollen were not significantly affected, i.e. previously observed antifeedant effect was not linked to disturbed activity of the proteolytic enzymes in bees’ midgut. Hypopharyngeal gland development was assessed by quantifying total extractable proteins from the glands. Results suggested that CCRI41 cotton pollen carries no risk to hypopharyngeal gland development of young adult honey bees.  
> 
> Taking into consideration the previous studies as well as the present one on CCRI41 pollen risk assessment on honey bees (Liu et al. 2009; Han et al. 2010a, b), consumption of transgenic pollen would not induce lethal and sublethal effects in the honey A. mellifera. Physiological traits such as longevity, midgut proteolytic enzyme activity, the development of hypopharyngeal gland, and associative learning behaviors are not affected by the ingestion of pollen from Bt crops.
> 
> In conclusion, the two main results: (1) hypopharyngeal glands of young adult honey bees were not significantly affected by the consumption of CCRI41 pollen in laboratory conditions, and (2) we demonstrated that the antifeedant effect induced by CCRI41 pollen in honey bee is not linked to decrease in midgut proteolytic enzyme activity in bees. Further studies are needed to identify the mechanisms underneath the behavioral (antifeedant) effect.

Does transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton pollen affect hypopharyngeal gland development and midgut proteolytic enzyme activity in the honey bee Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)? -- Ecotoxicology. Published online: 07 August 2012

Contributed by PLB
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