Oxidation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Embryonic and Adult Tissues of Golden Hamster.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In tissues incubated aerobically, highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA), principally linolenic acid, free or combined is oxidized to a peroxide (HUFA-p). The oxidative product can be quantitatively estimated by thiobarbituric acid (TBA). Ascorbic acid is the principal catalyst for the oxidation, which is increased when the vitamin is added in vitro and decreased in tissues of guinea pigs on a scorbutic diet. Comparison was made between the HUFA content of brain, liver and testes tissue of various aged hamsters. Experimental procedures were designed also to given evidence for in vivo oxidation of highly unsaturated fatty acids. It has been shown that minute, measurable quantities of oxidative products are formed in vivo. The total quantity of HUFA present in brain tissue has been shown to increase gradually with post partum development of the brain, with constant levels apparent at 10- 16 days of age. The maximum quantity of HUFA present in testes tissue correlated well with the age of sexual maturity in the hamster and did not fluctuate significantly thereafter. There is a significant rise in total HUFA content of liver tissue associated with the emergency of birth. A unique lack of catalytic activity of ascorbic acid upon the in vitro oxidation of Hufa in embryonic tissues was demonstrated.