The utilization of glycogen and accumulation of some intermediates during anaerobiosis in Mytilus edulis L.

Abstract

1. 1. Glycogen degradation in the mussel under anaerobic conditions was measured at two temperatures. Glycogen decrease at 6·6°C was about 3 mg and at 20°C about 6 mg/24 hr per mussel. A Pasteur effect was observed.

2. 2. The decrease of glycogen was almost entirely restricted to muscles, including the foot and hepatopancreas.

3. 3. During anaerobiosis there was a significant increase in succinate and alanine, whereas almost no increase in -lactate was found. There was some accumulation of -lactate. Alanine and succinate were formed in almost equimolar amounts and accounted for about 50 per cent of the degraded glycogen.