EMBRYONIC AND POSTEMBRYONIC CHANGES IN THE LIPIDS OF ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES EGGS

Abstract

Unembryonated ascaris eggs contained amounts of saponifiable and unsaponifiable lipids estimated to exceed 50% of the protoplasmic solids. The saponifiables (75–80% of the total lipids) consisted of triglycerides and much smaller quantities of phospholipids. Volatile acids comprised a significant part of the total triglyceride fatty acids. The unsaponifiables (> 20% of the total lipids) contained ascaryl alcohol as the major component. Unesterified sterols were also present. During embryonation and postembryonic survival of the eggs, the saponifiables decreased to 25% of the initial amount present, whereas unsaponifiables remained constant. Death of the embryos coincided with failure to utilize the remaining saponifiables.