[Sugars and lipids of the clitellum and cocoon albumin in Eisenia fetida Sav (Annelida Oligochaeta)].

Biochemical methods were used to analyze the glucidic and lipidic components of the clitellar epithelium and the cocoon's albumen in Eisenia fetida. In the clitellum, the sugar concentration increased dramatically (about 5-fold) during differentiation. The assays showed increases in several monosaccharides during puberty. In addition, glucose was prominent in immature clitella, whereas mannose was the main sugar in the mature ones. About 50% of the dry weight of recently deposited cocoons was carbohydrates. The sugar concentration decreased in the albumen as hatching approached. The amount of total lipids in the clitellum increased during maturation. The levels of neutral lipids, however varied very little. Phospholipids began at low levels at the beginning of differentiation, and increased dramatically thereafter. The amount of fatty acids in the clitellar epithelium reached a maximum during the submature stage. Large amounts of fatty acids were stored in the cocoon. Palmitic, stearic, oleic and vaccenic acids were preponderant in both the clitellum and cocoon.