Adaptive strategies of selective fatty acid deposition in the bone marrow of desert bighorn sheep

Fatty acid analysis of wild ruminant tissues: evolutionary implications for reducing diet-related chronic disease

“…The double bond index (summation of the weight percentage of each FA in a mixture multiplied by the number of double bonds it contains per molecule divided by 100) has been shown to increase as marrow is sampled from proximal to distal leg bones. Furthermore, the increase in the double bond index correlates most closely with 18:1 n-9 (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975). MUFA percentages in the more proximal humerus and femur of three North American ruminants ranged from 40 to 45% of total FA, whereas in the more distal metacarpus and metatarsus, MUFA increased to 70 -75% of total FA (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975).…”

“…Furthermore, the increase in the double bond index correlates most closely with 18:1 n-9 (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975). MUFA percentages in the more proximal humerus and femur of three North American ruminants ranged from 40 to 45% of total FA, whereas in the more distal metacarpus and metatarsus, MUFA increased to 70 -75% of total FA (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975). Because we sampled marrow from the metatarsus at mid-shaft, our fatty acid composition values are consistent with previous values at similar anatomical sites, but not with values measured more proximally (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975).…”

“…MUFA percentages in the more proximal humerus and femur of three North American ruminants ranged from 40 to 45% of total FA, whereas in the more distal metacarpus and metatarsus, MUFA increased to 70 -75% of total FA (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975). Because we sampled marrow from the metatarsus at mid-shaft, our fatty acid composition values are consistent with previous values at similar anatomical sites, but not with values measured more proximally (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975). The functional utility of this graded fatty acid deposition pattern in the legs of ruminants is unclear, however, it has been suggested that it would help to maintain leg mobility at low temperatures (Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975).…”

“…The fatty acid composition of marrow in wild ruminants has not been extensively studied; however, data from North American animals shows that the relative degree of saturation decreases distally in both the front and rear legs (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975). The double bond index (summation of the weight percentage of each FA in a mixture multiplied by the number of double bonds it contains per molecule divided by 100) has been shown to increase as marrow is sampled from proximal to distal leg bones.…”

“…However, there is scant information for marrow (Meng et al, 1969;Turner, 1979;West & Shaw, 1975) and brain (Crawford et al, 1976). The latter tissues would have comprised a substantial portion of the average dietary lipid intake in pre-agricultural humans (Defleur et al, 1999;Harako, 1981;McArthur, 1960;Silberbauer, 1981;Stefansson, 1960).…”