ISSN:
0148-7280
Keywords:
fertilization
;
sea urchin
;
Arbacia punctulata
;
Erythrosin B
;
dyes
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Fertilization and ionophore activation of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata were inhibited in the presence of six analogs of the dye fluorescein. The concentration of any one dye needed for blockage of sperm or Ca-ionophoremediated activation in 50% of the eggs (I50) was a function of the dye's lipid solubility. Substantially higher concentrations of each dye were required to block activation by Ca-ionophore (A23187) than were needed to inhibit sperm activation. A detailed study of the action of Erythrosin B (tetraiodofluorescein) showed that its effects were readily reversible. The I50 concentration of Erythrosin B increased as temperature increased from 10 to 25°C. The kinetics of blockage indicated that Erythrosin B blocked some early step in the program of fertilization. The results suggest that these anionic dyes may inhibit fertilization by preventing successful sperm-egg fusion.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1120040306
