OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND LUMINESCENCE OF ISOLATED Porichthys PHOTOPHORES IN RESPONSE TO ADRENERGIC STIMULATIONS

Isolated photophores of Porichthys maintained in saline at 20_oC, consume oxygen at a mean rate of 115 ± 5 ± 10 ₃ nmol O₂ min₁ ( n = 165).
In the presence of 0.1 and 1 mM adrenalin or noradrenaline the photophore produces a fast peak of light followed by a slow luminescence. A large increase in oxygen consumption occurs prior to the fast light response and it remains slightly above the resting level during the following slow light emission.
When isolated photophores do not produce the fast peak of light(in response to isoprenalin or after treatment with phentolamine), there is only a slight transient increase of oxygen consumption. During the production of the slow luminescence the oxygen consumption remains close to the resting level.
A relationship between the oxygen consumption and the light emission during the fast luminescence has been found: it is suggested that most of the oxygen consumed could be involved in a triggering mechanism of light production.