Variations in lipid classes and fatty acid content in tissues of wild Macrobrachium rosenbergii ž / de Man females during maturation

This study describes the variations in total lipid, lipid classes and fatty acids in the midgut Ž . gland MG , ovary, and muscle tissue of wild-caught Macrobrachium rosenbergii to elucidate the importance of these components during sexual maturation. Mature females were captured in the Mae Klong River, Thailand, from July to September 1998, and divided into five groups according to their ovarian development. Total lipid levels in the ovary increased with maturation, but no concomitant decrease in MG lipids was observed. Thus, the lipid requirements of the developing ovary are thought to be more dependent on the immediate ingestion of dietary lipid than on MG Ž . Ž . reserves. Higher proportions of neutral lipids NL , mainly triacylglycerols TG , were observed in Ž . both MG and ovary, whereas polar lipids PL predominated in muscle. In the ovary, total NL increased significantly along with maturation mainly due to an increase of TG and sterols. Ž . Ž . Phosphatidylcholine PC and phosphatidylethanolamine PE formed the bulk of ovarian PL and also increased significantly as maturation progressed. Major fatty acids in both MG and ovary were 14:0, 16:0, 18:0, 18:1ny9, 18:2ny6, 18:3ny3, 20:4ny6, 20:5ny3 and 22:6ny3. Significant increases in the levels of saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids were observed in Ž . both MG and ovary. The levels of ny3 highly unsaturated fatty acids HUFA , particularly 20:5ny3, decreased in the MG as ovarian development proceeded. In contrast, an increase in the ovarian contents of ny3 HUFA was detected. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.