Role of phospholipids in early ontogenesis of Arctic-Boreal species Leptoclinus maculatus (Stichaeidae)

Abstract

The content of total phospholipids and their classes (phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin) of muscles (flesh) and lipid sac of different developmental stages of young fish the daubed shanny, Leptoclinus maculatus from Kongsfjord (Svalbard, Norway) in winter was studied. The content of phospholipids in flesh decreases with age on account of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine that probably related to their role in morphogenesis during differentiation of tissues and organs. The content of phospholipids is lower than reserve lipids in the lipid sac. The level of phospholipids in the lipid sac compared to flesh increases with age of fish reaching the maximum in benthic juveniles. Variations of minor phospholipids content of young fish of the daubed shanny indicate their participation in biochemical mechanisms of adaptation realizing in specific and varying Arctic conditions.