The Effects of Caffeine on Oxygen Consumption and Cell Division in the Fertilized Egg of the Sea Urchin, Arbacia Punctulata

Abstract

1. By means of the Warburg-Barcroft microrespirometer apparatus and the Warburg direct method, the relative effect of caffeine upon the O2 consumption of the fertilized egg of Arbacia punctulata was shown for the following concentrations in sea water: 0.002 per cent (M/10,000), 0.004 per cent (M/5,000), 0.02 per cent (M/1,000), 0.1 per cent (M/200), 0.2 per cent (M/100), 0.5 per cent (M/40), and 2 per cent (M/10). 2. In comparison with the normal eggs (uninhibited, non-caffeine-treated controls), caffeine in concentrations including and greater than 0.1 per cent (M/200) depressed the average uptake from approximately 25 to 61 per cent over the 3 hour period. In a number of instances, as typified by Experiment 10, the effective inhibitory concentration ranged from 0.02 per cent (M/1,000) upward and the degree of depression of the O2 consumption ranged from 10.6 per cent to 60.6 per cent. 3. All caffeine concentrations including and above 0.02 per cent (M/1,000) in the series used, resulted in decreasing the normal rate of cleavage division in the fertilized Arbacia eggs. 4. The higher concentrations (0.5 and 2 per cent) produced a complete blockage of the cleavage process. 5. Complete cleavage inhibition was noted only when the O2 uptake had been depressed to 50 per cent or more of the normal controls. 6. O2 consumption-time relationship data indicate an average depression, in O2 consumption over a 3 hour period, ranging from 25 per cent with a caffeine concentration of 0.1 per cent to a 61 per cent inhibition with a concentration of 2 per cent. 7. Concentrations of less than 0.1 per cent (certainly of less than 0.02 per cent) give variable results and indicate no significant effect. 8. It is inferred from the respiration data presented that it is probable that the inhibition of the O2 consumption in fertilized Arbacia eggs is due to the influence of caffeine upon the main (activity or primary) pathway. It will be observed that there are certain similarities of the caffeine data to the degree of inhibition accomplished by sodium cyanide. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the cyanide probably acts on the cytochrome oxidase step in the cytochrome oxidase-cytochrome chain of reactions constituting the O2 uptake phase of respiratory metabolism. It is not improbable, therefore, that caffeine also may act upon the cytochrome oxidase enzyme. 9. From the viewpoint of environmental conditions influencing reproductive phenomena, it is of interest that caffeine can affect the normal metabolism of the zygote.

Effects of caffeine and other methylxanthines on the development and metabolism of sea urchin eggs. Involvement of NADP and glutathione.

“…As early as 1945, Cheney reported an inhibition of respiration in sea urchin eggs in the presence of caffeine, with mitotic inhibition being proportional to the deficit in O~ uptake. Complete inhibition of cleavage occurred when egg respiration was decreased to 50% of normal (6). The present work is an extension of Cheney's original observations, which we readily confirmed.…”

Using Zebrafish to Implement a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience to Study Teratogenesis in Two Biology Laboratory Courses

“…Caffeine effects on development were previously described in other experimental models. 54 Effects of caffeine exposure during zebrafish embryogenesis were also detected in this CURE. The combined treatment of nicotine plus caffeine caused more severe defects.…”

Expression of HSP70 in Mytilus californianus following exposure to caffeine

“…Cheney (1945) found that caffeine affects oxygen consumption and the normal rate of cleavage division in the fertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Arbacia puntulata. Nath and Rebhun (1976) reported inhibition of mitosis in sea urchin eggs exposed to caffeine.…”