@ARTICLE{Dziechciarz_P._Workers_2025,
 author={Dziechciarz, P. and Strachecka, A. and Borsuk, G. and Olszewski, K.},
 volume={vol. 28},
 number={No 1},
 pages={111–122},
 journal={Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences},
 howpublished={online},
 year={2025},
 publisher={Polish Academy of Sciences Committee of Veterinary Sciences},
 publisher={University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn},
 abstract={This study is a continuation of innovative research on the impact of the simultaneous use of standard- and small-cell combs in bee colonies on the characteristics of worker bees and bee colonies. The nests of these colonies had two types of combs: small-cell (approximate cell width/size of 4.90 mm) and standard-cell (approximate cell width/size of 5.50 mm). The aim of the study was to compare the activities of proteases and their inhibitors present on the cuticle of workers reared in small-cell combs (SMC workers) and standard-cell combs (STC workers) in colonies kept simultaneously in standard- and small-cell combs. The width/size of comb cells in which the workers were reared had a significant effect on protein concentrations and activities of the proteolytic system, i.e. proteases and their inhibitors, on the cuticle surface. Regardless of the age of the workers (1 day, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days), the protein concentrations were statistically significantly higher (p≤0.01) in the STC than SMC workers. The opposite was found in the case of the activities of proteases and their inhibitors: regardless of the age of the bees, the activities were significantly higher in the SMC workers. The differences between workers reared in small-cell combs and those reared in standard-cell combs may be responsible for their predispositions to perform different tasks in the colony. In our opinion, workers reared in small-cell combs are more predisposed to work as foragers outside the nest. However, this hypothesis requires confirmation in further research.},
 title={Workers of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) reared in small-cell combs in apiary conditions show higher activity of the proteolytic system and lower protein concentrations on the cuticle surface than workers reared in standard-cell combs},
 type={Article},
 URL={http://journals.pan.pl/Content/134465/PDF-MASTER/12%20_%20Dziechciarz.pdf},
 doi={10.24425/pjvs.2025.154019},
 keywords={small-cell combs, Apis mellifera, body surface proteins, proteolytic enzymes, protease inhibitors},
}