NUMBERS OF SPERMATOZOA IN THE SPERMATHECA OF THE QUEEN HONEYBEE AFTER MULTIPLE INSEMINATIONS WITH SMALL VOLUMES OF SEMEN

Multiple inseminations of the queen honeybee with small volumes of diluted semen resulted in significantly more spermatozoa entering the spermatheca than did single inseminations of the same total volumes (P < 0.01). In 3 experiments with small, equal insemination volumes, the 2nd insemination contributed more spermatozoa to the spermatheca than did the 1st. For inseminations of semen that was stored in liquid N (-196.degree. C), the 2nd insemination contributed 77% and 68% in 2 different experiments. With fresh diluted semen the 2nd insemination contributed 61%.