Low Oleic/Stearic Desaturation Index in Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) with Steatitis in Southern California

ABSTRACT We explored differences between the adipose tissue fatty acid profiles of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) with and without steatitis. Adipose tissue from birds with steatitis exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, low abundance of oleic acid, and a lower oleic/stearic desaturation index compared with tissue from birds without steatitis.