A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS

Abstract

The mitochondrial derivative of the sperm of the gastropod pulmonate Biomphalaria glabrata was studied to ascertain succinic dehydrogenase localization cytochemically. Two techniques were compared. One technique depends on a tetrazohium salt that yields an osmiophihic formazan upon reduction. The other technique is dependent on the reduction of copper ferricyanide. The effects of several electron transport inhibitors were studied. The reaction product observed in the matrix of the mitochondrial derivative using the former technique is sensitive to rotenone and is believed to be nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent. The reaction product observed in the intracristal spaces using the copper ferricyanide method is insensitive to rotenone and is believed to cytochemically demonstrate succinic dehydrogenase in this material. In pulmonate snails, the mitochondnia of’ the spermatid undergo metamorphosis to form the elaboratecompartmentalized mitochondnial derivative of the midpiece. Reports on the distribution of a number of mitochondnial enzymes ofier differing views as to the fate of these