title: Measuring the lipid content of live animals using cyclopropane gas.
abstract: The cyclopropane technique was validated, and it accurately estimated the lipid mass of six pond turtles (Trachemys scripta). This technique provided more accurate estimates of lipid mass and lipid-free mass (by difference) than other nonfatal techniques. This technique was accurate despite the turtles' low lipid contents (0.71-3.5% of body mass), variable water contents (65-74% of body mass), and variable body temperatures (approximately 23-31 degrees C). A computer model of the cyclopropane technique revealed that an analytical error of 1% in variables measured (e.g., body water content and body temperature) may cause errors of less than 1-6% in lipid estimates.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Biology Division, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Henen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001834:Body Water; D001835:Body Weight; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008722:Methods; D014426:Turtles
chemical_list: D003521:Cyclopropanes; D008055:Lipids; C030797:cyclopropane