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Fatty acid compositions of the major phosphoglycerides from fish neural tissues; (n−3) and (n−6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and cod (Gadus morhua) brains and retinas

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Abstract

The fatty acid compositions of brain phosphoglycerides from a freshwater fish, the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and a marine fish, the cod (Gadus morhua), were determined and compared with those from a terrestrial mammal, the rat. Fish brain lipids were characterized by a higher degree of unsaturation encompassing increased percentages of (n−3)PUFA (22∶6 and 20∶5) and lower percentages of (n−6)PUFA (20∶4 and 22∶4). However the distribution of fatty acids and specific PUFA between different phosphoglycerides was essentially similar in rat and fish brain tissue. PE and PS contained the highest percentages of 22∶6(n−3), PI was characterized by higher 18∶0 and 20∶4(n−6)/20∶5(n−3), and PC had higher 16∶0 and the lowest percentage of PUFA in all species. A generally similar pattern was found in the fish retinal phosphoglycerides except that PC was also rich in 22∶6(n−3). Overall trout brain phosphoglycerides were slightly more unsaturated than the cod lipids but with lower (n−3)/(n−6) ratios whereas cod retinal lipids were more unsaturated than the trout retinal lipids.

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  1. NERC Unit of Aquatic Biochemistry, Department of Biological Science, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, Stirling, Scotland, U.K.

    Douglas R. Tocher & Douglas G. Harvie

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  1. Douglas R. Tocher
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Tocher, D.R., Harvie, D.G. Fatty acid compositions of the major phosphoglycerides from fish neural tissues; (n−3) and (n−6) polyunsaturated fatty acids in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and cod (Gadus morhua) brains and retinas. Fish Physiol Biochem 5, 229–239 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01874800

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