Breeding values

[B+.]

I was pleased to be able to welcome Prof Brascamp to one of my apiaries yesterday. We discussed some of the differences between beekeeping in the UK and The Netherlands, particularly with regard to bee breeding. We also discussed some of the theory behind breeding values in honeybees (http://www.gsejournal.org/content/46/1/53).

Does anyone out there use breeding values on bees (or other animals)?

 

[Thymallus]

I suspect the short answer is not in that depth, in the majority of cases.
But excellent to see that this type of work is going on and being critically evaluated.

 

[B+.]

I suspect the short answer is not in that depth, in the majority of cases.
But excellent to see that this type of work is going on and being critically evaluated.

I'm curious because Pim said some of his early work was with the Gloucestershire Old spot pig. Apparently, they inseminate sows with semen from multiple boars. This is comparable with the queen mating with multiple drones. I wondered if there were any pig breeders out there who use the animal model

 

[Thymallus]

I know a couple, but never delved into there AI techniques other than they get their sperm and the genetics behind it from Denmark.
I shall ask them when I next see them.

 

[B+.]

I shall ask them when I next see them.

I'd be interested to hear the outcome.
Incidentally, Pim recommended the same diluent used in Pig breeding for use in instrumental insemination of honeybees. I believe it is SafeCell+ (but this information is from another source)
edit: add link to safecell+ http://www.imv-technologies.com/our-solutions/swine/detail/product/safecell-.html

 

[Thymallus]

From what little I know about II the antibiotics may be the key, otherwise they usually just osmotically balanced salt solutions, which is probably more important for pig semen than bee drone.

 

[B+.]

From what little I know about II the antibiotics may be the key, otherwise they usually just osmotically balanced salt solutions, which is probably more important for pig semen than bee drone.

There are a couple of recipes http://coloss.org/beebook/I/instrumental-insemination/2/2?searchterm=saline+
Interesting that Coloss suggest that the ph should be adjusted to 8.6 but Kelly Rausch (http://vpqueenbees.com/) swears by 7.4
To be honest, if you are going to collect the semen and inseminate on the same day, the saline isn't that critical (Sensitive Eyes Plus saline is fine) since it doesn't come into contact with the semen. However, if you are going to mix a batch (e.g. centrifuge) it is (and yes, you are right, you will need the antibiotics or you may infect the queen during insemination)