THE MUSCLE AND INTEGUMENT LIPIDS IN FEMALE ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES

Abstract

Total lipids of the body wall (muscle plus integument) consisted of phospholipids (38%), unsaponifiables (8.1%), and triglyceride acids (47%). The phospholipid fraction contained major amounts of phosphoacetals, lecithins, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Sphingolipids and phosphatidylserine were probably present in smaller amounts. Much of the unsaponifiable matter was similar to, but not identical with, the ascaryl alcohol of the reproductive tissues, although sterols were also present. The triglycerides contained an approximately equimolar mixture of volatile and non-volatile acids. Phospholipid acids, on the other hand, were entirely non-volatile. The integument lipid fractions were similar in amount and kind to those of the muscle.