THE EFFECTS OF SOME DEVELOPMENTAL INHIBITORS ON THE PHOSPHORUS BALANCE OF AMPHIBIAN GASTRULAE

¹ Zoology Department, Columbia University, New York 27, New York

1. Rana pipiens gastrulae treated with non-damaging concentrations of sodium azide or 2, 4 dinitrophenol for 24 hours at 14-15° C. exhibit a reversible retardation of morphogenetic movements, a diminished store of acid-soluble organic phosphorus, an elevated content of inorganic phosphorus and an unaltered total phosphorus content.

2. Anaerobiosis for 24 hours at 14-15° C. does not alter the phosphorus balance of R. pipiens gastrulae, or of gastrula-arrested hybrids of R. pipiens with R. pipiens , beyond a slight elevation of the inorganic phosphorus level.

3. These results are discussed briefly in respect to the energy-requirements of the morphogenetic movements of gastrulation.