Metabolism of fatty acids in the southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina (L.)

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Biochemistry
• Main Authors: Bryden, M. M., Stokes, G. B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1969
• Subjects: General Medicine; Elephant Seal; Mirounga leonina; Southern Elephant Seal
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/o69-117; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/o69-117

In general, the composition of the blubber of the southern elephant seal, determined by gas–liquid chromatography, is similar to that of other marine mammals. In this regard, the present work disagrees with an earlier study made on an individual of this species. The marked disappearance of the long-chain polyunsaturated acids in both the nursing cow and fasting pup suggests catabolism of these acids during nonfeeding periods. Support is given here for the contention that some fatty acids are transferred intact from the depot fat of the seal cow to her pup via the milk.