Ovarian neutral lipid fatty acid composition varies with state of ovarian growth in landlocked Atlantic salmon

The ovarian neutral lipid fatty acid composition was determined for 22 landlocked Atlantic salmon with gonadosomatic index ranging from 0.75 to 13.6. In fish with gonadosomatic index over 1.3, the proportions of 16:1 and 18:1 increased, while those of 20:5 (n – 3) and 22:6 (n – 3) decreased with increasing gonadosomatic index. The proportion of the other major neutral lipid fatty acid, 16:0, did not vary with gonadosomatic index. Analysis of selected samples did not reveal any relationship between gonadosomatic index and the proportions of the major phospholipid fatty acids, 22:6 (n – 3), 16:0, and 18:1.