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Extranuclear basic proteins have been detected in the capsule of the spermatozoa of three species of decapod crustaceans (Nephrops norvegicus L., Macrura; Eupagurus bernhardus L., Anomura; Carcinus maenas Penn., Brachyura). Their properties have been studied by cytochemical methods. Their position inside the capsule of the spermatozoon has been specified with the aid of the electron microscope. Present in a constant fashion in the three species cited, their relative importance is very variable. In contrast to the refringent cone of the spermatozoon of Ascaris, which contains an acid protein, ascaradine, the capsule of the spermatozoon of the three decapod crustaceans studied contains basic proteins which we propose to designate by the general term "decapodine".

The production of an artifact by the methanolysis of total lipids of Ascaridia galli with boron trifluoride-methanol was dependent on the reaction time and the age of the reagent used. It was shown that this artifact was produced from oleic acid. Methanolysis of total lipids with sodium methoxide was complete in 10 min, and no artifact was produced.