THE EFFECT OF LACK OF OXYGEN ON THE SPERM AND UNFERTILIZED EGGS OF ARBACIA PUNCTULATA, AND ON FERTILIZATION

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Abstract
Unfertilized eggs are not visibly affected by complete lack of O for 8 hrs. After 3 hrs. they recover immediately on admission of air; after a longer anoxemia, when air is readmitted and the eggs are fertilized, there is a slight lag in the formation of the fertilization membrane and in time of cleavage. Sperm are rendered motionless by lack of O but are otherwise unaffected for 2 hrs.; they recover immediately on admission of air. After 3 hrs. some of the sperm are irreversibly injured, and after 4 hrs. they are all killed. When sperm are added to unfertilized eggs, both in complete absence of O, fertilization does not take place, and the fertilization membrane is not thrown off because the sperm are not motile, and cannot get to the surface of the egg. The membrane is thrown off immediately on admission of air. If there is the slightest trace of air, which may leak through the vaseline seal to the chamber, sufficient for only a few sperm to be very slightly motile, the eggs with which they come in contact throw off fertilization membranes, but do not develop further until more air is admitted. If O is necessary for membrane formation, it is in an almost infinitesimal amount.

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