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Journal of Experimental Biology 39,353-358 (1962)
Published by Company of Biologists 1962

The Oxygen Uptakes and Metabolism of Balanus Balanus Spermatozoa

H. BARNES ¹

¹ The Marine Station, Millport, Scotland

1. The oxygen uptake of Balanus balanus spermatozoa has been investigated and found to be very small (0.18µl. O₂/10⁸ sperm./hr. at 10° C).

2. Over a considerable range of sperm density there is no ‘dilution’ effect; the reasons for this are discussed.

3. The level of ATP and other phosphorylated intermediates is low and this is correlated with low motility.

4. The spermatozoa contain carbohydrate, some 7 mg./g.; this is adequate to maintain respiration for some time. There is no evidence at present as to whether this rather than other substrates such as phospholipids is utilized.

5. The effects of inhibitors and of added substrates were investigated. There is much evidence to suggest that glycolytic mechanisms are a dominant feature of the metabolism. The relation of this to copulation is discussed.