Abstract

In recent years, on a global scale, more and more reports of a phenomenon called CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) have been reported. In addition to pesticides, diseases, and other environmental stressors, electromagnetic fields are also mentioned as one of the possible causes of CCD. One of the body’s first lines of defense against harmful factors is the antioxidant system. We hypothesized that electromagnetic field upregulate the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalases), and changed FRAP (total antioxidant potential) in honeybee hemolymph. In our research, 12 h bee’s exposure to E-field was analyzed to determine changes in the antioxidant system. The frequency of 50 Hz and various intensities were used: 5.0 kV/m, 11.5 kV/m, 23.0 kV/m, and 34.5 kV/m. Superoxide dismutase was characterized by four times higher activity in the study groups as compared to the control group. Catalase activity in all groups was characterized by statistically significantly different activity between the groups. The highest activity was recorded in the 34.5 kV/m group. The lowest activity was recorded in the 11.5 kV/m group. A relationship was found between different E-field intensities and changes in the antioxidant system.

5. Conclusions

Technology is becoming a challenge for many groups of animals, including bees. Especially, this new factor dynamically changes in the range of frequencies and intensities that are used. This contributes to the ever-expanding E-field study. The results from this study provide basic data for future research regarding the influence of the electromagnetic field with a frequency of 50 Hz on the antioxidant system of the honeybee and will be an important step towards a comprehensive risk assessment of the environmental stressors on honeybees. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/10/713/htm

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