REPRODUCTIVE MECHANISM OF RUDITAPES PHILIPPINARUM PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF NH₄OH SEAWATER AND THE DISCOVERY OF SHEDDING HORMONE

This paper expounds primarily on the physiological mechanism of the mature process and release of Ruditapes philippinarum's eggs. A natural dry condition, immersion in NH₄OH seawater, and crude extracted shedding hormone, were the necessary physiological conditions and factors which make eggs reach physiological maturity, and make the female or male clam spaw and spermiate. At the same time, it has been shown that the physiological action of the NH₄OH seawater may stimulate the respiration of the eggs, and that the comsumption oxygen raises 15.17μl. The shape of eggs turns from oval into round; and the ultrastructure of the nucleus and cytoplasm show strengthened metabolic activity. Besides, it has been substantiated that the shedding hormone exist in the gonad of female clams. The shedding hormone may be a heat labile protein. The result may be of theoretial importance and economic value to artifical reproduction of the molluscs.