Sex and reproductive cycle affect lipid and fatty acid profiles of gonads of Arbacia dufresnii (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

DÍAZ DE VIVAR, M. E.; SEWELL, M.; AVARO, M.; ZARATE, E; EPHERRA, L.

MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES

INTER-RESEARCH

Lugar: Oldendorf/Luhe; Año: 2016 vol. 551 p. 185 - 199

0171-8630

Analysis of the lipid composition of tissues allows differentiation between energy and structural lipids that is important to understand gonadal lipid utilization during gametogenesis. Fatty acids have frequently been used as biomarkers in trophic ecology studies and the ?fatty acid profile? is a useful companion to lipid studies to provide a detailed understanding of a species? reproductive cycle. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of sex and of the reproductive cycle in the lipid and fatty acid profiles of the gonads of A. dufresnii. There were significant changes in total lipid concentration, lipid profile and fatty acid profile throughout the reproductive cycle. Ovaries and testes that contained fully mature gametes differed in the total lipid concentration (higher in the ovaries), the lipid profile (more energy lipids in ovaries and more structural lipids in testes) and the fatty acid profile (it differed by sex, not only in the variety of fatty acids present but in the degree of unsaturation). The present study shows that these differences in lipid and fatty acid profiles caused by sex and gonadal reproductive stage need to be considered when these tools are used as biomarkers in ecological studies. This study is the first contribution to establish the fatty acid network in the community and could serve for establishing trophic interactions in the site.