Lipid metabolic pathways operating in amphibian full-grown oocytes.

The utilization of (2-3H)-glycerol in lipid biosynthesis was analyzed in Bufo arenarum and Xenopus laevis full-grown oocytes. The precursor was more actively incorporated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Neutral glycerides were the lipids displaying the highest levels of radioactivity followed by phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. After reincubation of prelabeled oocytes in a saline buffer solution, a net fall in labeled phosphatidic acid concomitant with an increase in phosphatidylcholine were detected. The present findings establish that glycerolipid biosynthesis is operative in full-grown oocytes. In addition, Xenopus laevis oocytes seem to be metabolically more active.