Biosynthesis of fatty acids by the carp, Cyprinus carpio L., in relation to environmental temperature.

Incorporation in vivo of sodium 1-14C-acetate into different lipid classes and fatty acids of total lipids and phospholipids of warm adapted and cold adapted carp livers was studied at 5 C and 22 C, respectively. The fatty acid composition of total lipids and phospholipids was also determined. The level of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in both total lipid and phospholipid fraction was higher in cold adapted fish than in warm adapted ones. The distribution of radioactivity among different lipid classes depended only on the actual incorporation of the temperature history of the animals. Livers of fish incorporated a higher percentage of radioactivity into long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of total lipids and phospholipids in 5 C than in 22 C. The distribution of radioactivity among different fatty acids was dependent on the experimental temperature rather than on the temperature to which the fish were adapted. The results suggest that fish are able to adjust the pattern of the biosynthesis of fatty acids very rapidly to the prevailing temperature and to assure by this way the proper physicochemical properties of their membranes. The possible mechanisms involved in this rapid response are discussed.