Presents preliminary data from the analysis of organic materials that were leached from specimens into their liquid storage media. Fluid samples were taken from the storage media of selected holotypes of mammal specimens. Fluids were analyzed for fatty acids and lipids using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and for the presence of individual amino acids using amino acid analysis. A variety of lipids and their constituent fatty acids were found. Furthermore, some palmitic to stearic acid (P/S) ratios were high (like those found in plants) in comparison to the low ratios normally associated with animal fat. Amino acid profiles indicated that peptides and amino acids also were being leached into the storage fluids. These profiles indicate general protein loss, including some structural proteins. Structural protein loss is characterized by a higher than expected glycerine (in the 30% range) and alanine content. These results form the baseline from which to study the deterioration of the specimens themselves.