DECREASE IN TOTAL PROTEINS AND INCREASE IN CALCIUM IN THE SPOTTED GONAD OF THE SEA-URCHIN STRONGYLOCENTROTUS-INTERMEDIUS

A previous histopathological investigation of the spotted gonads of th e sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius revealed a degradation of germinal tissues and deposition of a large amount of calcium as many s picules. In the present study, the contents of proteins (total protein s and water-soluble proteins) and calcium of the spotted gonads taken from S. intermedius were measured to identify the biochemical changes involved in protein and calcium metabolism. The total proteins (TP) of the ovaries decreased as spot development progressed, although change s in the actual amount of water-soluble proteins (WSP) were minimal. T his tendency was negligible in the testes. The calcium content in both gonads increased with the development of spotting. The decrease in TP is probably caused by germinal tissue degradation. The increase in ca lcium content indicates excess calcium caused by cessation of protein synthesis in the vitellogenesis or excess calcium influx due to tissue degradation.