CO₂ narcosis induces a metabolic shift mediated via juvenile hormone in Bombus impatiens gynes

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) has pleiotropic effects on insect physiology and behavior. Although diverse, many impacts are related to changes in metabolism and reallocation of macronutrients. Here we examined the metabolic shift induced by CO₂ and its regulation using Bombus impatiens. CO₂ applied to bumble bee gynes induces bypass of diapause and transition into reproduction. We analyzed ovary activation and macronutrient amounts in four tissues/body parts (fat body, thorax, ovaries, and crop) at three timepoints following CO₂ administration. To tease apart the effects of CO₂ on reproduction and metabolism, we monitored the metabolic changes in gynes following ovary removal and CO₂ narcosis. We also explored the role of juvenile hormone in mediating CO₂ impact by feeding queens with a JH antagonist (Precocene). Gynes ovary activation was increased following CO₂ treatment. Additionally, CO₂-treated gynes showed lower lipid amount in the fat body and higher glycogen and protein amount in the ovary ten days after the treatment. CO₂ treatment following ovary removal also resulted in decreased fat body lipids, suggesting that CO₂ operates by inducing a metabolic shift independent of reproduction. Lastly, gynes fed with precocence did not show a metabolic shift following CO₂, suggesting CO₂ impact is mediated via juvenile hormone. Overall, these data suggest that CO₂ induces transfer of macronutrients and utilization of stored reserved by accelerating metabolism. The proposed mechanism of CO₂ may explain many of the pleiotropic effects of CO₂ across species and can aid in understanding how this common anastatic influences insect physiology.