Milk fatty acid composition of perinatal and foraging Steller sea lions (Eumetopiasjubatus): examination from pup stomachs

Abstract

To investigate the milk fatty acid composition of female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus (Schreber, 1776)) between and within maternal states (i.e., perinatal or foraging), milk samples were collected in 2010 and 2011 via gastric intubation from Steller sea lion pups on a small rookery in the central Gulf of Alaska. Maternal states of lactating females were determined upon reuniting with their sampled pups via remotely operated video cameras on the rookery. Milk fatty acid composition between Steller sea lion maternal states was significantly different, and thus can be utilized to distinguish between perinatal and foraging Steller sea lions of the same geographic region in the absence of direct observation. However, milk fatty acid composition remained relatively constant within perinatal Steller sea lions, suggesting steady mobilization of fatty acids from blubber to milk, and within foraging Steller sea lions, implying females forage on similar prey species within several days after their perinatal period. Differences in milk fatty acid composition between maternal states, including differences in the relative percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids, may have important implications for growth and development of offspring.

Identification and analysis of the FAD gene family in walnuts (Juglans regia L.) based on transcriptome data

“…Fatty acid desaturase (FAD) is widely present in organisms [6][7][8][9]. The main function of FAD is to remove hydrogen from carbon chains in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids to produce C=C bonds.…”

Extraordinary diversity of the pinniped lactation triad: lactation and growth strategies of seals, sea lions, fur seals, and walruses

“…Milk lipid fatty acid (FA) composition is also unique in marine mammals with large quantities of long chain (≥16 C) saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that reflect their marine diet ( Iverson et al, 2004 ). Pinniped milk FA, in both phocids and otariids, are comprised primarily (50‐60%) of MUFA, with approximately 20% SFA and 20% PUFA ( Wheatly et al, 2008 ; Fowler et al, 2014 ; Miller et al, 2017 ). The percent FA profiles of pinniped milk are quite different from human and cattle milk.…”

“…Human milk contains 3945% SFA, 33‐45% MUFA, and 8‐19% PUFA, while milk from domestic cattle is comprised of 56‐73% SFA, 23‐30% MUFA, and 2‐6% PUFA ( Roy et al, 2020 ). Specific FA are highly represented in pinniped milk across species notably 16:0 (~10%), 18:1n-9 (~20%), 20:5n3 (5‐10%), 22:6n-3 (~10%) ( Brown et al, 1999 ; Fowler et al, 2014 ; Miller et al, 2017 ). Two PUFA (20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3) are known to be critical for human brain development ( Martinat et al, 2021 ) and are highly represented in pinniped milk compared with human milk ( Fowler et al, 2014 ; Watson et al, 2021 ).…”

Identification and Analysis of the FAD Gene Family in Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) Based on Transcriptome Data

“…Fatty acid desaturase (FAD) is widely present in the biological world [6,7,8,9]. Its main function is to remove hydrogen from carbon chains in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids to synthesize C=C double bonds.…”