Determination of polyamines in digestive and reproductive tissues of adult Asterias vulgaris (Echinodermata: Asteroidea).

1. The polyamines spermine, spermidine and putrescine were extracted from tissues of Asterias vulgaris and quantitated using thin layer chromatography. 2. In the pyloric caeca, mean (+/- SE) levels of spermine, spermidine and putrescine were 138(15), 86(24) and 415(77) nmol/g wet wt tissue, respectively. In the testes, levels were 95(12), 13(6) and less than 6 nmol/g wet wt. In the ovaries, levels were 105(9), 11(0.8) and 15(8) nmol/g wet wt. 3. High levels of polyamines in the pyloric caeca may be related to secretion or excretion in this tissue. 4. We hypothesize that polyamines will be important in the regulation of cellular activity in these tissues during the annual reproductive cycle.