A COMPARISON OF THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF UNFERTILIZED AND FERTILIZED EGGS OFFUNDULUS HETEROCLITUS

Abstract

By three methods it has been shown that the oxygen consumption of the eggs of Fundulus heteroclitus is greatly increased after fertilization. This increased rate of oxygen consumption is at its maximum from 60 to 90 minutes after the addition of the sperm, in a period immediately preceding the first cleavage. The oxygen consumption then falls to a level practically identical with that of the unfertilized eggs. The writer wishes to express her appreciation to Dr. W. R. Amberson and Dr. W. O. Fenn for their suggestions, and to Mr. J. O. Pinkston for his assistance in the oxygen determinations.