POLYOL ACCUMULATION IN EARTHWORM COCOONS INDUCED BY DEHYDRATION

Authors
HOLMSTRUP M
Citation
M. Holmstrup, POLYOL ACCUMULATION IN EARTHWORM COCOONS INDUCED BY DEHYDRATION, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Physiology, 111(2), 1995, pp. 251-255
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Physiology,Biology
Journal title
Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Physiology → ACNP
ISSN journal
10964940
Volume
111
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Pages
251 - 255
Database
ISI
SICI code
1096-4940(1995)111:2<251:PAIECI>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
Earthworm egg capsules (''cocoons'') of five species were shown to acc umulate polyol, probably sorbitol, when dehydrated at -3 and 20 degree s C. Low temperature (0 degrees C) did not induce polyol accumulation if cocoons were not dehydrated. The polyol accumulation was restricted to the embryos of the cocoons. Accumulated polyol will reduce water l oss of the embryo and thus increase the chances for survival in cocoon s exposed to cold or drought.