ATPASE AND ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE OF SPERM 



247 



tion Avas rather different, and Table II shows that at 37° these sperma- 

 tozoa split acetylcholine to the extent of about 0.05 to 0.15 /xg/hr/mg. 

 The splitting was inhibited by eserine, and this indicates that the en- 

 zyme is not a common esterase. The comparatively slight breakdown of 

 other choline and substituted choline esters also indicated that the 

 enzyme was a specific acetylcholinesterase and not a pseudocholinester- 

 ase. 



" T, trout spermatozoa; P, perch spermatozoa. 



6 These preparations were from unwashed sperm, the activity of the plasma being 

 allowed for. 



