A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF CYANIDE AND AZIDE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FROGS' EGGS

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Abstract
Rana pipiens eggs can develop to the beginning of gastrulation in solns. of 0.001-0.006 molar cyanide at pH 7.4, 8.4, or 9.8. The pH has no influence on the stage in which the eggs are ultimately arrested, but does affect the speed with which arrested eggs disintegrate. Eggs develop normally to stage 22 if placed in solns. of KOH or NaOH at pH 9.8 at any stage from fertilization to muscular movement. In contradiction to a previous report it has been found that R. pipiens eggs are immediately arrested at any stage in solns. of 0.005 or 0.01 molar azide at pH 6.6, 7.4, or 8.3. Since both cyanide and azide depress pre-gastrular respiration, it seems that the stoppage or development by azide should be attributed to the ability of azide to inhibit assimilatory processes.