Abstract
Carbon dioxide evolution of the rat ova at the early stage of development from one cell to blastocyst was measured with the Cartesian diver method modified by ANFINSEN. Respiratory quotient was calibrated.
The carbonoxide evolution increased gradually during the development and significant change was observed at the blastcyst stage.
When glucose, α-ketoglutarate and glutamate was added as substrates to the incubating medium, carbone dioxide evolution increased up to 3-4 folds.
Respiratory quotient of the rat ova during the cleavage ranged from 0.90 to 1.03. It seemed to, indicate that the rat ova utilized carbohydrates as the energy source for their development.
