THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN MUSTARDS ON THE RESPIRATION AND FERTILIZATION OF SEA URCHIN SPERM AND EGGS

Abstract

The halogenated alkyl amines, methyl-bis-(beta-chloroethyl)-amine HC1, isopropyl-bis-(beta-chloroethyl)-amine HC1, ethyl-bis-(beta-chloroethyl)-amine HC1, and tris-(beta-chloroethyl)-amine HC1, when added to sperm suspensions of Arbacia punctulata increased their respiration. This increase seems to affect the entire respiratory process as shown by the unaltered R. Q. value. Anaerobic glycolysis was not altered. With dilute sperm suspensions (1:200) the stimulation of respiration was followed by inhibition. Sperm so treated produced, on fertilization of eggs, an inhibition in the rate of cleavage, of pluteus formation, and motility of blastula, and produced in addition a number of malformations.