Drone Larvae Homogenate (Apilarnil) as Natural Remedy: Scientific Review

Year 2023, Volume: 29 Issue: 4, 947 - 959, 06.11.2023

Sibel Silici

https://doi.org/10.15832/ankutbd.1293015

Abstract

For centuries, honey bee products such as honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee bread (Perga), and bee venom have been utilized in natural medicine due to their beneficial properties. A great deal of scientific research has been dedicated to exploring their physico-chemical properties and therapeutic effects. Despite this, drone larvae have not received as much attention from the scientific community. Within a honey bee colony, drones are responsible solely for fertilizing queen bee eggs and consuming food reserves collected by worker honey bees. As a result, beekeepers commonly remove excess drone brood from the hive, which is crucial for preventing and treating varroasis. Lyophilization is the most effective method for preserving drone larvae, and the physicochemical properties of fresh and lyophilized drone larvae were compared. The therapeutic effects of drone larvae, such as androgenic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulatory, and hypolipidemic effects in humans and experimental animals, were summarized. This study aims to summarize current scientific knowledge on drone larvae (apilarnil). The author utilized well-known publication databases like SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Pub Med to gather research on drone larvae. Furthermore, this review collected information on the chemical composition preservation and bioactive action of drone larvae. Thanks to their high levels of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and hormones, drone larvae can be considered a potential potency-raising agent.

Keywords

Drone larvae, apilarnil, drone brood, physicochemical properties, lyophilize, Natural remedy, Varroa control, Hormone

References

• Agarwal A & Sekhon L H (2010) The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility. Human Fertility 13(4): 217-225. https://doi.org/10.3109/14647273.2010.532279
• Altan Ö, Yücel B, Açıkgöz Z, Şeremet C, Kösoğlu M & Turgan N (2013). Apilarnil reduces fear and advances sexual development in male broilers but has no effect on growth. Nutiriton and Metabolism 54(3): 355-361. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2013.791382
• Andritou C V, Andritou V, Zonda G I, Foia L, Carlan M & Costuleanu M (2012). Experimental treatment involving apitherapy in hereditary hemolyticanemia. Romanian Journal of Medical and Dental Education 1: 34-37
• Atherton P J, Smith K, Etheridge T, Rankin D & Rennie M J (2010). Distinct anabolic signaling responses to amino acids in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Amino acids 38(5): 1533-1539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0377-x
• Bak B & Wilde J (2002). Bee brood-An unconventional source of animal protein. Biuletyn Naukowy Uniwersytet Warminsko Mazurski w Olsztynie, Poland 18: 229–237
• Balkanska R, Karadjova I & Ignatova M (2014). Comparative analyses of chemical composition of royal jelly and drone brood. Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 46(2): 412-416. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264577503
• Barnutiu L I, Marghitas L A, Dezmirean D, Bobis O, Mihai C & Pavel C (2013). Physico-chemical composition of apilarnil (bee drone larvae). Lucrari Ştiintifice-Seria Zootehnie 59: 199-202
• Barth C, Villringer A & Sacher J (2015). Sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods. Frontiers in Neuroscience 9:1-20. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00037
• Bentinger M, Tekle M & Dallner G (2010). Coenzyme Q- biosynthesis and functions. Communications 396(1): 74-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.02.147
• Bifari F & Nisoli E (2017) Branched-chain amino acids differently modulate catabolic and anabolic states in mammals: a pharmacological point of view. British Journal of Pharmacology 174(11): 1366-1377 https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13624
• Boes K E (2010). Honeybee colony drone production and maintenance in accordance with environmental factors: an interplay of queen and worker decisions. Insectes Sociaux 57:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-009-0046-9
• Bogdanov S (2016). Royal Jelly and Bee Brood: Harvest, Composition, Quality. In The Royal Jelly Book; Bee Product Science: Muethlethurnen, Switzerland https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304012318
• Bolatovna K S, Rustenov A, Eleuqalieva N, Omirzak T & Akhanov U K (2015). Improving reproductive qualities of pigs using drone brood homogenate. Biology and Medicine 7: 2
• Boryayev G, Kıstanova Y, Sdorovyeva Y, Nosov A & Katayev O (2017). Influence of homogenate of drone brood on biochemical parameters of blood and productivity of growing pigs.The 3rd International Symposium on EuroAsian Biodiversity, Minsk, Belarus.
• Budnikowa N W (2009). Biologically active compounds in drones. Beekeeping 6:52-53. (In Ukrainian).
• Burmistrova L A (1999). Composition and biological activity of drone brood. In Problems of Ecology and Beekeeping Development in Russia; Institute of Beekeeping: Rybnoe, Russia, pp.156-159. (In Russian)
• Calder P C (2015). Functional roles of fatty acids and their effects on human health. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 39(15): 18S-32S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0148607115595980
• Calderone N W (2005). Evaluation of drone brood removal for management of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) in colonies of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the northeastern United States. Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 645–650. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-0493-98.3.645
• Civitelli R, Villareal D T, Agnusdei D, Nardi P, Avioli L V & Gennari C (1992). Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans. Nutrition 8(6): 400-405.PMID: 148246.
• Collison C H (2004). Basics of Beekeeping. The University of Pennsylvania, University Park.
• Collins A M & Pettis J S (2001) Effect of Varroa infestation on semen quality. American Bee Journal 141:590-593. ISSN/ISBN: 0002-7626.
• De Grandi-Hoffman G, Watkins J C, Collins A M, Loper G M, Martin J H, Arias M C & Sheppard W S (1998). Queen developmental time as a factor in the Africanization of European honeybee (Hymenoptera:Apidae) populations. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 91 (1):52-58. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/91.1.52
• Doganyigit Z, Silici S, Kaymak E, Okan A, Akın A T & Pandır D (2019). Determination of the protective role of apilarnil against testicular toxicity dur to lipopolysacchardie (LPS) in male rats. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 9:146-154. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/bozoktip/issue/46461/583995
• Doganyigit Z, Okan A, Kaymak E, Pandır D & Silici S (2020). Investigation of protective effects of apilarnil against lipopolysaccharide induced liver injury in rats via TLR 4/ HMGB-1/ NF-κB pathway. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 125:109967 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.109967
• Doganyigit Z, Köklü B, Uner A, Kaymak E & Silici S (2020b). The effect of apilarnil on the autophagia against lipopolysaccaride-based sepsis in liver. New Trends in Medicine Sciences 1(2):84-89. ISSN: 2717-8161.
• Ebisch IMW, Thomas GMG, Peters WHM, Braat DDM & Steegers-Theunnisen RPM (2007). The importance of folate, zinc and antioxidants in the pathogenesis and prevention of subfertility, Human Reproduction Update 13(2):163-174. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dml054
• Elistratov D G, Strukov V I, Trifonov V N, Elistratova Y A, Elistratov K G, Kurus’ N V, Fyodorov A V, Krutyakov E N, Andreyeva E S, Elistratova T V, Khomyakova I V, Tolbina G A, Dolgushkina G V, Astafieva A N, Kuptsova T A, Shcherbakova Y G & Smirnova N M (2017). Method of treating androgen deficiency in women. United States Patent Application Publication, US 20170065646 A1.
• Eraslan G, Kanbur M, Silici S, Altınordulu S & Karabacak M (2008). Effects of cypermethrin on some biochemical changes in rats:The protective role of propolis. Experimental Animals 57(5):453-460.https://doi.org/10.1538/expanim.57.453
• Eraslan G, Kanbur M, Silici S & Karabacak M (2017). Beneficial effect of pine honey on trichlorfon induced some biochemical alterations in mice. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 73(5):1084-1091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.02.017
• Fadini GP, Albiero M, Cignarella A, Bolego C, Pinna C, Boscaro E, Pagnin E, De Toni R, de Kreutzenberg S, Agostini C & Avogaro A (2009). Effects of androgens on endothelial progenitor cells in vitro and in vivo. Clinical Science (Lond).117: 355-364. https://doi.org/10.1042/cs20090077
• Finke M D (2005). Nutrient composition of bee brood and its potential as human food. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 44: 257-270. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670240500187278
• Food & Nutrition Board (1997). Dietary reference intakes for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride. Washington, DC. National Academy Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/5776
• Food & Nutrition Board (2002). Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. Washington, DC, National Academy Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/10026
• Food & Nutrition Board (2000). Dietary reference intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and carotenoids. A report of the Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Related Compounds. Washington, DC, National Academy Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9810
• WHO (2004). Vitamin and mineral requirements in human nutrition, 2nd ed. 341 p,. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42716 ISBN:9241546123
• Goins A & Schneider S S (2013). Drone “quality” and caste interactions in the honeybee, Apis mellifera L. Insectes Sociaux 60:453-461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-013-0310-x
• Ghosh S, Jung C & Meyer-Rochow V B (2016). Nutritional value and chemical composition of larvae, pupae and adults of worker honey bee, Apis mellifera ligustica as a sustainable food source. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 19: 487-495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2016.03.008
• Glasier A, McNeilly AS & Howie P W (1984). The prolactin response to suckling. Clinical Endocrinology 21:109–116. https://doi.org.10.1111/j.1365-2265.1984.tb03449.x
• Haber M, Mishyna M, Martinez J J & Benjamin O (2019). Edible larvae and pupae of honeybee (Apis mellifera): Odor and nutritional characterization as a function of diet. Food Chemistry 292:197-203 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.04.041
• Hamamcı M, Doğanyiğit Z, Silici S, Okan A, Kaymak E, Yılmaz S, Tokpınar A, Inan L E (2020). Apilarnil: A novel neuroprotective candidate. Acta Neurol Taiwan 29: 33-45.
• Hrassnigg N & Crailsheim K (2005). Differences in drone and worker physiology in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Apidologie 36:255-277. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2005015
• Hryniewicka M, Karpinska A, Kijewska M, Turkowicz M J & Karpinska J (2016) LC/MS/MS analysis of alpha tocopherol and coenzyme Q10 content in lyophilized royal jelly, beebread and drone brood. Journal of Mass Spectrometry 51(11):1023-1029. https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.3821
• Hu F & Li Y (2001). Nutritive value and pharmacological actions of Italian worker bee larvae and pupae. In Proceedings of the 37th International Apicultural Congress p.28
• Inandiklioglu N, Doganyigit Z, Okan A, Kaymak E & Silici S (2021). Nephroprotective effect of apilarnil in lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway Life Sciences 284: 119875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119875
• Isidorov VA, Bakier S & Stocki M (2016). GC-MS investigation of the chemical composition of honeybee drone and queen larva homogenate. Journal of Apicultural Science 60:111–120. https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2016-0011
• Isidorov V A (2021) Honeybee alchemy. IBRA and Northern Bee Books. 274 p. ISBN: 9781913811020.
• Joshi R, Adhikari S, Patro BS, Chattopadhyay S & Mukherjee T (2001) Free radical scavenging behavior of folic acid: evidence for possible antioxidant activity. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 30(12): 1390-1399. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(01)00543-3
• Johnson RM, Dahlgren L, Siegfried B D & Ellis M (2013). Effect of in-hive miticides on drone honey bee survival and sperm viability. Journal of Apicultural Research 52(2):88-95. https://doi.org/10.3896/ibra.1.52.2.18
• Kedzia B & Hołderna-Kedzia E (2017). Less Known Bee Products; Sadecki Bartnik: Stróze, Poland (In Polish)
• Kim W, Wang Y & Selomulya C (2020). Dairy and plant proteins as natural food emulsifiers. Trends in Food Science and Technology 105:261-272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2020.09.012
• Kim M Y, Park K S, Yeo W S, Choo H & Chong Y (2009). In vitro solubility, stability and permeability of novel quercetin-amino acid conjugates. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 17(3): 1164-1171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2008.12.043
• Kistanova E, Zdoroveva E, Nevitov M, Nosov A, Vysokikh M, Sukhanova I, Vishnyakova P, Abadjieva D, Ankova D, Rashev P & Boryaev G (2020). Drone brood fed supplement impacts on the folliculogenesis in growing gilts. Veterinarski Arhiv 90(6): 583-592. https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.0886.
• Kogalniceanu S, Lancrajan I & Ardelean G (2010). Changes of the glucidic metabolism determined by the physical effort of the treatment with aslavital and apilarnil. Arad Medical Journal 13: 33-41.
• Koc A N, Silici S, Ercal B D, Kasap F, Hormet-Oz H T & Mavus-Buldu H (2009). Antifungal activity of Turkish honey against Candida spp. and Trichosoron spp: an in vivo evaluation. Medical Mycology 47(7): 707-712. https://doi.org/10.3109/136937808025722554
• Koşum N, Yucel B, Kandemir C, Taskın T, Duru M E, Kucukaydin S, Margaoan R & Cornea-Cipcigan M (2022).
• Chemical composition and androgenic effect of bee drone larvae (Apilarnil) for Goat male kids. Chemistry and Biodiversity 19(8):e202200548. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200548
• Krylow W N, Agafonow A W & Kriwcow N I (2007). Theory and Methods of Apitherapy; GNU: Moscow, Russia pp. 168–180. (In Russian)
• Kumazawa S, Hamasaka T & Nakayama T (2004). Antioxidant activity of propolis of various geographica origins. Food Chemistry 84(3):329-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(03)00216-4.
• Kurtdede E & Sevin S (2022). Evaluation of antioxidant properties and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of honeybee hive products collected from the Ankara region. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal 15(3):342-347. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.1138870
• Lazaryan D S, Sotnikova E M & Ertushenko N S (2003). Standardization of bee bread homogenate composition. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 37: 614-616. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:PHAC.0000016077.99039.4b
• Lazaryan D S (2002). Comparative amino acids analysis of bee bread. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 36: 680–682. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023469931357.
• Lebiediew W I & Legowicz M A (2003). Harvesting a drone license is profitable. Beekeeping 6: 52-53. (In Russian).
• Leja M, Mareczek A, Wyzgolik G, Klepacz-Banjak J & Czekonska K (2007). Antioxidative properties of bee pollen in selected plant species. Food Chemistry 100(1):237-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.09.047
• Li Y, Zhang X, Dinneys A & Ji W (2003). Effect of amino acids on cryopreservation of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) sperm. American Journal of Primatology 59(4): 159-165. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.10073.
• Lipinski Z, Zoltowska K, Wawrowska J & Zaleska M (2008). The concentration of carbohydrates in the developmental stages of the Apis mellifera carnica Drone brood. Journal of Apicultural Science 52(1):5-11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287511615
• Margaoan R, Marghitas L A, Dezmirean D S, Bobis O, Bonta V, Catana C, Urcan A, Muresan C I & Margin M G (2017). Comparative study on quality parameters of royal jelly, apilarnil and queen bee larvae triturate. Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine- Cluj-Napoca Animal Science and Biotechnologies 74 (1): 51–58. https://doi.org/10.15835/buasvmcn-asb:12622
• Miyata Y & Sakai H (2018). Anti-cancer and protective effects of royal jelly for therapy-induced toxicities in malignancies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19(10):3270. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19103270
• Morlok K M (2010). Food Scientist’s Guide to Fats and Oils for Margarine and Spreads Development. Kansas State University Food Science, Manhattan, Kansas, USA, 82 p.
• Mutsaers M, Blitterswijk H, Leven L, Kerkvliet J & Waerdt J (2005). Bee products-properties, processing and marketing. Agromisa Foundation, Wageningen, ISSN: 90-8573-028-7
• Nassar S A, Mohammed A H, Soufy H, Nasr S & Mahran K M (2012). Immunostimulant effect of Egyptian propolis in rabbits. The Scientific World Journal 901516, 9 pages. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/901516
• Nordin BEC (1976) Nutritional considerations. In: Nordin BEC, ed. Calcium, phosphate and magnesium metabolism. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone pp. 1-35
• Okan A, Kaymak E, Uner AK, Silici S & Doğanyiğit Z (2022). Apilarnil prtotects the LPS induced endotoxemic heart. Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi 79(4): 720-729. https//doi.org/10.5505/TurkHijyen.2022.78200
• Özkök D & Silici S (2017). Antioxidant activities of honeybee products and their mixtures. Food Science and Biotechnology 26(1):201-206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-017-0027-0
• Palmer K A & Oldroyd B P (2000). Evolution of multiple mating in the genus Apis. Apidologie 31:235-248. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000119
• Peng Y, Grassl J, Millar A H & Baer B (2016). Seminal fluid of honeybees contains multiple mechanisms to combat infections of the sexually transmitted pathogen Nosema apis. Proceedings Royal Society B 283(1823):20151785.
• Prikhodko A, Yankina O, Kim N, Koltun G & Skolov A (2020). Chemical composition of the far eastern homogenate of drone brood. E3S Web of Conferences 203, 04015. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202020304015
• Qin Q H, He X J, Barron A B, Guo L, Jiang W J & Zeng Z J (2019). The capping pheromones and putative biosynthetic pathways in worker and drone larvae of honey bees Apis mellifera. Apidologie 50: 793–803. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-019-00686-9
• Ren B, Cheng X, Wu D, Xu SY, Che LQ, Fang Z F, Lv G, Dong H J & Lin Y (2015). Effect of different amino acid patterns on semen quality of boars fed with low-protein diets. Animal Reproduction Science 161: 96-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2015.08.010
• Rhodes J W (2002). Drone honey bees rearing and maintenance. Agnote NSW Agriculture Livestock Officer, Apiary Products ISSN. 1034-6848 Rhodes J W, Harden S, Spooner-Hart R, Anderson D L, Wheen G (2011). Effects of age, season and genetics on semen and sperm production in Apis mellifera drones. Apidologie 42: 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido/2010026
• Rider V & Abdou N I (2001). Gender differences in autoimmunity: molecular basis for estrogen effects in systemic lupus erythematosus. International Immunopharmacology 1(6):1009-24. https:// doi.org/10.1016/s1567-5769(01)00046-7. PMID: 11407298
• Rolf C, Cooper T G, Yeung C H & Nieschlag E (1999). Antioxidant treatment of patients with asthenozoospermia or moderate oligoasthenozoospermia with high-dose vitamin C and vitamin E: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, Human Reproduction 14(4): 1028-1033. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/14.4.1028 Roof R L & Hall E D (2000). Gender differences in acute CNS trauma and stroke: neuroprotective effects of estrogen and progesterone. Journal of Neurotrauma 17(5):367-88. https://doi.org/ 10.1089/neu.2000.17.367. PMID: 10833057 Roqueta-Rivera M, Stroud C, Haschek A M, Akare SJ, Segre M, Brush R S, Agbaga M P, Anderson R E, Hess R A & Nakamura M T. (2010) Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation fully restores fertility and spermatogenesis in male delta-desaturase null mice. Journal of Lipid Research 51: 360-367 https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.M001180
• Rupanova M (2007). Influence of different lysine’s levels in the compound feeds for boars on quantity and quality of the semen. Journal of Animal Science 43(4):45-50
• Sawczuk R, Karpinska J & Miltyk W (2019). What do we need to know about drone brood homogenate and what is known. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 245: 111581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep2018.10.042
• Schumacher M, Mattern C, Ghoumari A, Oudinet J P, Liere P, Labombarda F, Sitruk-Ware R, De Nicola A F & Guennoun R (2014). Revisiting the roles of progesterone and allopregnanolone in the nervous system: resurgence of the progesterone receptors. Progress in Neurobiology 113:6-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.09.004
• Seres A B, Ducza E, Bathori M, Hunyadi A, Beni Z, Dekany M & Gaspar R (2013). Raw drone milk of honeybees elicits uterotrophic effect in rats: Evidence for estrogenic activity. Journal of Medicinal Food 16(5):404-409 https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2012.0232
• Seres A, Ducza E & Gaspar R (2014b) Investigation of gestagenic effect of raw drone milk in rats. Acta Pharnaceutica Hungarica 84(2):77-81. PMID: 25167703
• Seres AB, Ducza E, Bathori M, Hunyadi A, Beni Z, Dekany M, Hajagos-Toth J, Verli J & Gaspar R. (2014) Androgenic effect of honeybee drone milk in castrated rats: Roles of methyl palmitate and methyl oleate. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 153(2): 446-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.02.050
• Shoinbayeva K B (2017). Biologically active preparation and reproductive function of stud rams. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics 11(3): 184-191. https://doi.org/10.22377/ajp. v11i03.1402
• Sidor E, Milek M, Zagula G, Bocian A & Dzugan M (2021). Searching for differences in chemical composition and biological activity of crude drone brood and royal jelly useful for their authentication. Foods 10: 2233. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092233
• Sies H (1993). Oxidative stress: an introduction. In: Sies H, ed. Oxidative stress: oxidants and antioxidants. London, Academic Press, pp: 15–22. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.1997.sp004024
• Silici S (2019). Chemical content and bioactive properties of drone larvae (apilarnil). Mellifera 19: 14-22 Tarpy D R & Jr Page R E (2000). No behavioral control over mating frequency in queen honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) implications for the evaluation of extreme polyandry. American Naturalist 155:820-827. https://doi.org/10.1086/303358
• Trifonov V N, Elistratova J A, Elistratov K G, Kurus N V, Homykova I V & Elistratova, T V (2014). Dietary Beverage. United States Patent Application Publication, US 2014/0186458 A1
• Utaipanon P, Holmes M J & Oldroyd B P (2019). Queenless colonies contribute to the male breeding population at honeybee drone congregation areas. Insectes Sociaux 66(4): 593-599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-019-00720-0
• Vakina T N, Petrova E V, Trifonov V N, Krutiakov E N, Fedorov A V, Andreeva E S, Elistratova T V, Khomykova I V & Tolbina G A (2020). Restoring male sex drive (libido) using a food supplement for restoring male sex drive (libido) (European Union Patent No. EP2886114B1).https://doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.b4muqu6w
• Vasilenko Yu K, Klimova O V & Lazaryan DS (2002). Biological effect of drone brood under chronic hyperlipidemia conditions. Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 36(8): 434–436. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021214728006.
• Winston M L (1987). The biology of the Honeybee. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 294 pages ISBN: 9780674074095
• Woolley C S & McEwen B S (1993). Roles of estradiol and progesterone in regulation of hippocampal dendritic spine density during the estrous cycle in the rat. Journal of Comparative Neurology 336(2):293-306. https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.903360210
• Wu G (2009). Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutrition. Amino acids 37:1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-009-0269-0
• Xu X & Gao Y (2013). Isolation and characterization of proteins and lipids from honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) queen larvae and royal jelly. Food Research International 54: 330–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2013.07.030
• Zdorovyeva E V, Boryaev G I, Nosov A V, Kataev O G, Meloyan G M, Zemlyanova J V & Kistanova EK (2018). Hormonal status and productive qualities of young pigs at inclusion in a diet feding homogenate drone brood. Agrarnyy Nauchnyy Zhurnal 2:3-7. ISSN: 2313-8432 (Russian). https://doi.org/10.28983/asj.v0i2.366
• Zhang H, Hou C, Dai P, Liu Y, Wu Y, Pang Y & Diao Q (2019). Volatiles from different ınstars of honeybee worker larvae and their food. Insects 10: 118. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10040118