[New date on biogenic amines of developming sea urchin embryos]

Using two fluorimetric techniques, identification and assay of indolylalkylamines have been made in sea urchin eggs and embryos. It was shown that serotonin-like substance of embryonic and adult specimens is not usually homogeneous and consists at least of two components, the main of them being presented by tryptamine or one of its derivatives with the replaced group at amino nitrogen. Serotonin is also present at all the developmental stages investigated although its concentrations are significantly lower. It is suggested that these substances are involved into regulatory processes during early embryogenesis.