The biosynthesis of Dufour's gland constituents in queens of the honeybee (Apis mellifera)

Chemical analysis of queen Dufour's gland by GC/MS revealed the presence of long chain esters and hydrocarbons. To evaluate whether the biosynthesis of Dufour's gland components is modulated by physiological factors, we studied thede novo biosynthesis of esters and hydrocarbons in virgin and mated queen glandsin vivo andin vitro. Using [1-¹⁴C] sodium acetate as a precursor, it was shown thatin vivo, esters and hydrocarbons comprised the majorde novo products. The relative proportion of the hydrocarbon fraction was significantly higher in mated queens than in virgins, while in esters the situation was reversed. Comparision between reproductive and non reproductive virgin queens revealed that mating and not egg laying induced changes in glandular activity. Glands incubatedin vitro, on the other hand, synthesized mainly esters and alcohols but not hydrocarbons. These results suggest that either hydrocarbons are produced elsewhere and subsequently sequestered by Dufour's gland, or that the gland biosynthetic expressionin vivo is modulated. Differences between the gland activityin vivo andin vitro further support the hypothesis of a physiological mechanism in regulation of glandular performance.