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.