Blood Lipid Alterations with Development and Fasting in Weddell Seal Pups

脂质代谢是海豹的主要能量来源，占这些海洋哺乳动物静息代谢率的90%以上。因此，它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最小。除了中枢神经系统对葡萄糖的基本需求外，海豹似乎有多种代谢选择，利用脂质来满足几乎所有其他需求。海豹脂质代谢的一个有趣的方面是它们能够长时间禁食。即使是某些物种的幼崽，如海象，也可以在几个月没有水的情况下生存。这种代谢是由脂质储存驱动的，但对这一过程的调控尚不清楚。关于脂质在母体脂肪储存、乳汁和幼崽之间的转移存在疑问。各类脂质化合物在海豹中的分布时间和地点尚不清楚。该项目将分析一组独特的威德尔海豹血液存档样本，目的是阐明与海豹禁食的脂质生物化学有关的一些问题。这些为其他目的收集的样本，通过分析与海豹幼崽断奶和长时间禁食相关的生化参数，变得至关重要。博士之间的合作。Castellini和Rea以及法国的Rene Groscolas博士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.