Effect of Iodoacetate and Malonate on Respiration of Sea Urchin Sperm

Abstract

Conclusion

Iodoacetate and malonate added to sea urchin sperm in concentrations sufficient to produce inhibition of respiration in other animal tissues increased the respiration, the increase being equally effective on the O₂ uptake and the CO₂ output. No change in R.Q. was therefore observed. It is postulated that sea urchin sperm fluid possesses a substance–probably a sulfhydryl derivative–which normally keeps the respiration at a low level. Dilution of this substance or its destruction by addition of iodoacetate or malonate would produce an increase of the whole respiratory process.