LIPID CLASSES AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN THE FEMALE GONAD OF PECTEN MAXIMUS IN RELATION TO REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

摘要

Lipids in the female gonad of Pecten maximus from Ria de Arousa (N.W. Spain) were analysed for lipid class composition and fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols and phospholipids and their variations in relation to gametogenic cycle were studied for 16 months. The female condition index and stereological studies showed the existence of two principal spawning periods, winter and late spring early summer. No sexual resting period was found and oocyte lysis was high throughout the year. ovary lipid levels (16-21.5% dry weight) displayed clear seasonal changes linked to the gametogenic cycle. The acylglycerols (20-65% total lipids)and phospholipids (26-35%) were the major lipid classes, sterols (4-8%) were present in minor amounts. The acylglycerols and free sterols showed a seasonal variation similar to that of the mean oocyte diameter. The remainder of lipid classes showed no clear seasonal variation. The 20:5n-3 levels were higher than that of 22:6n-3 in the triacylglycerols, contrary to that of phospholipids. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were more abundant in the triacylglycerols and the series n-3 was clearly predominant. The Sigma n-3 and the principal n-3 fatty acids (mainly in phospholipids) showed a seasonal Variation clearly related to the reproductive cycle. (C) 1991 Elsevier Science Inc. [References: 48]