Blood Lipid Alterations with Development and Fasting in Weddell Seal Pups

卡斯特里尼 OPP97-25859 摘要 脂质代谢是海豹能量的主要来源，占这些海洋哺乳动物静息代谢率的90%以上。因此，他们已经适应了高脂肪的海洋饮食，大量的脂质储存（鲸脂），明显依赖脂质提供能量，对碳水化合物代谢的依赖性最小。除了中枢神经系统对葡萄糖的基本需求外，海豹似乎还有各种代谢选择，可以利用脂质满足几乎所有其他需求。海豹基于脂质的代谢的一个有趣的方面是它们能够长时间禁食。即使是象海豹等某些物种的幼崽，也可以在没有食物或水的情况下生活数月。这种代谢是由脂质储存驱动的，但该过程的调节尚不清楚。关于母体脂肪储存、乳汁和幼崽之间的脂质转移存在问题。海豹中各种脂类化合物的时间和位置分布尚不清楚。这个项目将分析一组独特的威德尔海豹血液存档样本，目的是阐明一些与海豹禁食的脂质生物化学有关的问题。这些样本采集用于其他目的，通过分析与断奶和长时间禁食海豹幼崽相关的生化参数变得至关重要。Castellini博士和Rea博士以及法国的Rene Grodas博士之间的合作将有助于更好地了解这些南极海豹的脂质代谢。

Castellini OPP97-25859 Abstract Lipid metabolism is the primary source of energy in seals and accounts for over ninety percent of the resting metabolic rate of these marine mammals. As a consequence, they have adapted to a high fat marine-based diet, large lipid stores (blubber), a clear reliance on lipid for energy and minimal dependence on carbohydrate metabolism. Beyond the basic requirements of glucose for central nervous system demands, it appears that seals have a variety of metabolic options for utilizing lipid for almost all other requirements. One intriguing aspect of the lipid based metabolism of seals is their ability to fast for extremely long periods. Even the pups of some species, such as elephant seals, can go without good or water for several months. This metabolism is driven by lipid stores, but regulation of the process is not understood. Questions exist regarding the transfer of lipids between maternal blubber stores, the milk and the pups. The distribution in time and location of various types of lipid compounds in seals is not known. This project will analyze a unique set of archived samples of Weddell seal blood with the aim of elucidating some of the questions relating to the lipid biochemistry of fasting in seals. These samples, collected for other purposes, became critical through analysis of the biochemical parameters associated with weaning and long duration fasting in seal pups. Collaboration between Drs. Castellini and Rea and Dr. Rene Groscolas in France will lead to a better understanding of lipid metabolism in these Antarctic seals.