ENERGY-METABOLISM OF THE MUSSEL, MYTILUS-GALLOPROVINCIALIS, DURING LONG-TERM ANOXIA

In the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, the pattern of metabolic ada ptations to long-term anoxia was clearly biphasic. The first phase (tr ansition stage) lasted 24 hr and was characterized by the decrease of adenylate energy charge, the consumption of aspartate and the accumula tion of succinate and alanine. The second phase (stationary state) was characterized by the depletion of glycogen stores, the production of propionate, which was subsequently excreted into incubation water, and the metabolic depression. The ATP turnover rate was reduced by a fact or of 3.9 from short-term anoxia to long-term anoxia.