Pyruvate and valine have been studied for their effect on avermectin biosynthesis by the mutant strain Streptomyces avermitilis UCM Ac-2179. Valine in concentrations 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/l inhibited the antibiotic synthesis. The same concentrations of pyruvate increased the avermectin production 2-2.5 times. The strain cultivated in the mineral medium produced during trophophase some lipids which were not almost revealed during idiophase when avermectin active synthesis took place. The authors make a supposition about the ways of avermectin synthesis by S. avermitilis UCM Ac-2179: the antibiotic biosynthesis can proceed not only through pyruvate transformation but, to a considerable extent, at the expense of using fatty acids which are produced by the culture.