The Fatty Acid Composition of Porcine Spermatozoa Phospholipids

The fatty acid composition of three phospholipids of boar spermatozoa from 32 ejaculates was determined; choline phosphatide, ethanolamine phosphatide, and serine phosphatide were the phospholipids in which 19 fatty acids and two aldehydes were identified. Thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography were employed for separation of phospholipids and determination of fatty acids. Major saturated fatty acids present were palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), and myristic (14:0). Palmitic and stearic acid were present in highest concentrations, ranging from 8 to 19% and 4 to 36%, respectively, in the three phosphatides. Unsaturated fatty acids predominated in the choline and ethanolamine phosphatides, while saturated acids predominated in the serine phosphatides. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5w6) was the major unsaturated acid at a high of 38.6%. Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) was somewhat less at 25.2%. Oleic acid (18:1w9), linoleic acid (I8:2w6), and arachidonic acid (20:4w6) were present in lesser quantities. The fatty acid composition of boar spermatozoa phospholipid has not been elucidated. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the fatty acids present in the semen of various other species. Patton and Flipse (1961) reported that myristic, palmitic, and stearic acid accounted for over 80% of the fatty acids in bovine spermatozoa lipid. Dietz et al. (1963) reported the presence of several fatty acids in whole bull semen lipid; palmitic acid predominated. Pursel and Graham (1967) reported the presence of 11 fatty acids in bovine spermatozoa phospholipid; docosahexaenoic acid was the predominant acid in the choline phosphatide fraction. Ram semen phospholipid contains palmitic and arachidonic acid in large quantities (Gray, 1960). Hartree and Mann (1961) reported that ram semen contained six major fatty acids; palmitic and oleic acid were present in highest concentra