Oxygen Consumption of Egg

Abstract

Respiratory metabolism has been determined and correlated with the morphological development of single grasshopper eggs (Melanoplus differentialis) from the time of laying to hatching at constant temperature of 28°C.

A rhythmic rise and fall in the oxygen consumption occurs during the successive stages. A gradual increase takes place up to about the ninth day (Fig. 1, I) which marks the peak during the early formation and differentiation of tissue. From this point the usage of oxygen steadily falls until the embryo enters into a state of quiescence (diapause), on or about the 21st day. During diapause, the embryo uses the minimum amount of oxygen. After the diapause block is destroyed and active development begins (Fig. 1, Ia) there is an immediate rise in oxygen consumption which continues through the remaining 3 morphological periods, characterized respectively by the revolution of the embryo (Fig. 1, II), the engulfment of the yolk by the growth and closure of the lateral walls (Fig. 1, III), and the period of rapid growth ending with hatching (Fig. 1, IV).

The total volume of oxygen consumed by each egg, as well as the percentage of the total volume used during each period of embryonic development, has been measured. The volume used by various eggs during corresponding intervals of growth shows a close correlation irrespective of: (a) the difference in total volume used; (b) the differences in volume used during respective periods; (c) the differences in time required to cover the respective developmental interval. When the oxygen consumption for a period varies either as to amount of energy used or time required to complete that phase of development, the following period tends to compensate for the difference.