ROLE OF DIACYLGLYCEROL IN ABSORPTION OF DIETARY GLYCERIDE IN THE AMERICAN COCKROACH, PERIPLANETA-AMERICANA L

The incorporation of [1-14C]-palmitic acid into haemolymph acylglycerols was studied in adult cockroaches, Periplaneta americana. The label is heavily incorporated into the diacylglycerol fraction several hours after the administration of the labelled fatty acid by injection into the haemocoele whereas incorporation into the triacylglycerol fraction is less marked. When the labelled fatty acid is fed to the insect, the haemolymph diacylglycerol fraction is most heavily labelled whereas the labelling of the triacylglycerol fraction is almost negligible. These observations, together with those obtained following the feeding of [carboxyl-14C]-trioleylglycerol suggest that in the cockroach the primary vehicle of acylglycerol transport from the gut and from the fat body is diacylglycerol. The absorbed diacylglycerol is contained within the plasma component of haemolymph. © 1979.