Conversion of [U-14C] glucose to lipid in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L.

The incorporation of D-[U-14C] glucose into fat body acylglycerols was studied in fed and starved adult cockroaches, Periplaneta americana. About 7-10% of injected glucose is incorporated into the triacylglycerol component of fat body within three hours of injection. The capacity for conversion of glucose to triacylglycerol is greater in fed than starved Insects and the differences in lipogenic capacity of fat body from fed and starved cockroaches are retained in vitro. Incubation of fat body in the presence of haemolymph enhances the lipogenic capacity of fat body.