Energy metabolism of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, during long-term anoxia

Abstract In the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis , the pattern of metabolic adaptations to long-term anoxia was clearly biphasic. The first phase (transition stage) lasted 24 hr and was characterized by the decrease of adenylate energy charge, the consumption of aspartate and the accumulation of succinate and alanine. The second phase (stationary stage) was characterized by the depletion of glycogen stores, the production of propionate, which was subsequently excreted into incubation water, and the metabolic depression. The ATP turnover rate was reduced by a factor of 3.9 from short-term anoxia to long-term anoxia.