Differential Mobilization of Blubber Fatty Acids in Lactating Weddell Seals: Evidence for Selective Use

• Published in: Physiological and Biochemical Zoology
• Main Authors: Wheatley, K., Nichols, P., Hindell, M., Harcourt, R., Bradshaw, C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Univ Chicago Press 2008
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue; Milk; Animals; Seals; Earless; Fatty Acids; Energy Metabolism; Lactation; Principal Component Analysis; Antarctic Regions; Female; Antarctic; Weddell; Bradshaw; Corey; Harcourt; Antarc*; Weddell Seal; Weddell Seals
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2440/48238; https://doi.org/10.1086/590397

A major source of energy during lactation in mammals is provided through the mobilization of blubber fatty acids (FAs). We investigated the extent to which FAs were mobilized to support both maternal metabolic requirements and milk production in the Weddell seal and how this was reflected in the FA...