STUDIES ON TOXIC AGENT IN LOWER BENTHIC ANIMALS INHABITING IN THE SETO INLAND SEA, ESPECIALLY ON TETRODOTOXIN OF THE FLATWORM

为了阐明河豚毒素（TTX）在濑户内海底栖动物体内的分布、来源和蓄积机制，我们进行了一些试验，得到以下结果：在多棘星海星的各个器官中，卵巢的效力最高（最大）。12700 MU/g)，其次是消化器官。结果表明，雌性的总体毒性明显高于雄性。在多触须扁虫的各组织中，输卵管毒性最大，其次是消化器官。产蛋量最高可达10700 MU/g。这些结果表明，扁虫和海星具有TTX作为对捕食者的防御或警报物质。从扁虫的消化道中分离出一些产ttx的细菌。带状线虫、梭状线虫、点状管虫等具有致死性。经TLC、HPLC、GC-MS等分离纯化，鉴定为TTX及其相关物质。这可能是在内默蒂尼首次发现TTX。

In order to clarify the distribution, origin and mechanism of accumulation of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the lower benthic animals in the Seto Inland Sea, some examinations were performed and following results were obtained.1. Among the various organs of the starfish Astropecten polyacanthus, ovary showed the highest potency (max. 12700 MU/g) followed by digestive organs. As the result, overall toxicity was remarkably higher in female than in male.2. Among the various tissues of the flatworm planocera multitentaculate, oviduct was most toxic, followed by digestive organs. The egg masses laid exhibited extremely high potency upto 10700 MU/g. These rusults suggested that the flatworm and the starfish possess TTX as defense or alarm substance against predators. Some TTX-producing bacteria were isolated from the digestive tract of flatworm.3. Ribbon worms, Lineus fuscoviridis, Tubulanus punctatus and some others, had lethal potencise. The toxios were partially purified and identified as TTX and its relating substances by TLC, HPLC and GC-MS. This may be the first finding of TTX in Nemertini.