First study on lipid dynamics during the female reproductive cycle of Polybetes pythagoricus (Araneae Sparassidae)

SOFIA ROMERO; ALDANA LAINO; ARRIGHETTI FLORENCIA; CUNNINGHAM MONICA; GARCIA FERNANDO

CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

NATL RESEARCH COUNCIL CANADA-N R C RESEARCH PRESS

Lugar: Otawa; Año: 2018 vol. 96 p. 1 - 12

0008-4301

Spiders are valuable to humans, not only for their role in health but also as biologic pest controllers. In oviparous species, lipids are the main energy source for embryo development, growth, and the survival of larvae. Using the spider Polybetes pythagoricus as an experimental model, we studied the fluctuations in lipids and fatty acids occurring in tissues related to vitellogenesis. Different reproductive stages?previtellogenic, early vitellogenic, vitellogenic, and postvitellogenic?were determined histologically.Gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices were first used in spiders. The midgut diverticula, proved to be the organ with the highest lipid concentration, with triacylglycerols 30 as the major component. Phospholipids were the principal lipids transported. In vitellogenesis, a major accumulation of lipids occurred in the ovary?principally phosphatidylethanolamine (41%), it probably synthesized in the midgut diverticula before release into the hemolymph for transport and accumulation in the ovary. The significance of phosphatidylethanolamine possibly involves maintaining membrane fluidity and functioning of the electron transportchain. The principal fatty acids in the different organs were palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic. During vitellogenesis the ovaries become enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The lipid patterns in the male midgut diverticula, muscle, and hemolymph were similar to those of the previtellogenic or postvitellogenic females.