EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD DERIVED FROM ELECTRIC FENCE SYSTEM ON SPERM ACTIVITIES OF HONEYBEES (Apis mellifera L.)

This study investigated the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from electric fence systems on physiological and reproductive parameters of male honeybees (Apis mellifera caucasica). The study was conducted between May and August 2024 at the Bayburt University Beekeeping Application and Research Center, with five experimental groups. Hives were positioned at varying distances (1–2.5 m) from the fence. The findings showed that the average body weight (245.4 mg), sexual maturity rate (58.56%), and sperm concentration (0.87 ± 0.04 × 10 ⁶/µL) of drones closest to the electric fence were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The electric field effect was limited in groups at greater distances, with statistically insignificant differences in some parameters. No significant differences were found between groups in sperm volume. Results demonstrate that electric fields from fence systems suppress developmental processes and reproductive physiology of drones in a distance-dependent manner. Lower body weight, decreased sperm concentration, and proportion of mature males in colonies near the fence show electromagnetic stress is a significant risk for bee health. Future studies should examine the effects of electromagnetic fields at different frequencies and strengths on larval development, sperm morphology, oxidative stress markers, and gene expression profiles.