Abstract
Bile salts of six different species of the Anura were investigated by means of thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Bile of Xenopus laevis contained taurine-conjugated and free forms of 3α, 7α, 12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholestanoic acid and 5β-cyprinol sulfate2) as its chief constituents. Smaller amounts of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid were also detected in the hydrolyzed bile. Neither conjugated bile acids nor bile alcohol sulfates were found in the bile of Bombina orientalis, the chief constituents of which were free 3α, 7α, 12α-trihyboxy- and 3α, 7α, 12α, 24-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholestanoic acids. Hyla arborea japonica contained 5β-ranol sulfate as almost the only bile salt. Rana brevipoda contained taurine-conjugated and free forms of cholic acid and 3α, 7α, 12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholestanoic acid, and 5β-cyprinol sulfate. Rana rugosa had mainly 5α-cyprinol sulfate in its bile. There was also a minor amount of tauro-3α, 7α, 12α-trihydroxy-5α-cholestanoate. Rana limnocharis limnocharis contained taurine-conjugated and free forms of cholic acid and 3α, 7α, 12α-trihydroxy-5β-cholestanoic acid, and 5β-bufol sulfate.
