Effects of urea phosphate, ammonium ions and pH on Ureaplasma ATP synthesis

The effects of various reaction conditions and the influence of urea and its hydrolysis products on Ureaplasma ATP synthesis were assayed using of a pH stat system which avoids the unfavourable changes of the external pH. The results proved that ATP synthesis required the presence of an optimal phosphate concentration and was dependent on the urea content of the reaction mixture. The data suggest that urea is the energetic source for ureaplasma growth and ammonium ions and pH could interfere in an additive way with the production of energy, only when the starting pH of the medium is kept in a slightly basic range.