Diapause and estivation in sponges.

Sponges can be found in fresh or saltwater habitats. As part of their life cycle, many sponges produce gemmules as a means of surviving environmental challenge. In most sponges, the gemmules contain cells that are initially in a state of metabolic arrest that is controlled by endogenous factors. This state is known as diapause. Following a period of exposure to unfavorable conditions, the cells in the gemmule transit from diapause into a state known as quiescence in which metabolic depression is controlled by environmental factors. When favorable conditions return, the gemmules germinate and produce a new sponge. Production of gemmules is triggered by environmental factors such as decreased temperature or desiccation and involves cell aggregation of thesocytes and the laying down of the gemmule coat. Thesocytes contain yolk platelets as an energy store and high concentrations of polyols that maintain high osmotic concentration in the cells of the gemmules. The high osmotic concentration maintains metabolic depression and turns off cell division. It is the inability to reduce the osmotic concentration that maintains the gemmules in diapause. Transition to quiescence requires the ability of the cells in the gemmules to convert the polyols to glycogen, and thus reduce the osmotic concentration. At this stage, the cells are able to reduce osmotic concentration but do not until favorable conditions return. Early in the germination process, the polyols are converted to glycogen, reducing the osmotic pressure and releasing the inhibition of cell division and metabolic rate. Both cell division and metabolic rate increase eventually leading to germination of the gemmules and production of a new sponge.