Structure of Four Acidic Oligosaccharides from the Jelly Coat Surrounding the Eggs of Xenopus Laevis

Novel acidic oligosaccharides were released by reductive β-elimination from the jelly coat eggs of the Anuran Xenopus laevis. According to the structural analysis of these oligosaccharide-alditols, the following structures are proposed: Where Kdn, 3-deoxy-d-glycero-d-galactononulosonic acid. These results confirm the species specificity of the glycanic structures present in the secretion of amphibian oviducts, and may form the basis of a specific egg-sperm recognition process.