Lipid and fatty acid composition of the endogenous energy sources of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) eggs.

The unique physiological flexibility of the early life stages of striped bass is attributed to the calorie-rich endogenous energy sources of the striped bass egg. Eggs of different aged striped bass from geographically separate populations were examined for lipid and fatty acid compositions and were found to be basically similar. Yolk components of the eggs contained significantly less total lipid than oil globules, were more diverse in lipid class composition and consisted mostly of polar lipids. Oil globules were entirely lipid material consisting predominantly of steryl/was esters. Fatty acid compositions of yolk and oil globules differed according to their respective lipid compositions. The functional significance of these lipids is discussed in relation to the ecological context of the early life stages.