M. Holmstrup, POLYOL ACCUMULATION IN EARTHWORM COCOONS INDUCED BY DEHYDRATION, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Physiology, 111(2), 1995, pp. 251-255
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.