An hypothesis of function for the avian glycogen body: a novel role for glycogen in the central nervous system.

Our own and other recent data have led us to hypothesize that the glycogen body, heretofore generally considered to be metabolically inert, may be functionally geared to support the process of myelin formation in the avian central nervous system (CNS). We envision that the abundant glycogen stores in this tissue, unlike those in the liver or in skeletal muscle, can serve as a recyclable substrate for the ultimate production of reducing equivalents that would be available for the synthesis of myelin lipid cholesterol. In addition, it is suggested that such glycogen also may serve as a source of organic acids which might provide alternate substrates to the CNS under conditions of metabolic stress.