On Antheridial Metabolism in the Fern Species Onoclea sensibilis L.

Abstract

It was earlier reported that medium from gametophyte cultures of O. sensibilis contains antheridium-inducing activity. Recent results show that the bulk of the activity does not exist in the undisturbed culture medium but arises instead as a result of the autoclaving during the preparation of the harvested medium for assay. The increase in activity upon autoclaving allows for 2 alternative interpretations: either it leads to the activation of an inactive compound or to the destruction of a heat-labile inhibitor. The results favor the 1st interpretation, but do not rigorously exclude the 2nd.