title: Seasonal variations in the levels of polyhydroxysteroids and related glycosides in the digestive tissues of the starfish Patiria (Asterina) pectinifera.
abstract: Seasonal variations in the levels of polar steroids including polyhydroxylated steroids and related glycosides in digestive organs of the starfish Patiria (=Asterina) pectinifera have been studied. The concentration of polar steroids is related to the annual reproductive cycle of the starfish and periods of active feeding. Two peaks in concentrations of polar steroids in pyloric caeca and stomach were found, the first in winter during reorganization and the second in summer during intensive gametogenesis before spawning. Probable biological functions of polyhydroxysteroids and related glycosides are discussed. The data support the hypothesis these compounds are involved in digestion in the starfish.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Far-Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok-22, Prospect 100-let Vladivostoku 159, Vladivostok, Russia.
authors.forename: Alla A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kicha
authors.forename: Natalia V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Ivanchina
authors.forename: Valentin A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Stonik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D006914:Hydroxysteroids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012621:Seasons; D013215:Starfish / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006027:Glycosides; D006914:Hydroxysteroids