The transfer of radiolabelled n-6 essential fatty acids by the mammary system of the tree-shrew (Tupia tana).
The fatty acid content of tree-shrew milk has been determined from analysis of the stomach content of infants immediately after suckling. Comparison of the n-6 fatty acid composition of the stomach contents, liver and brain demonstrate a striking increment in the ratio of arachidonic to linoleic acid. Feeding radioactively labelled linoleic acid to the mother 24 hr prior to suckling showed that 12-20% was transferred to the milk. Evidence from the appearance of the radioactivity administered as linoleic acid into arachidonic acid indicates that this species is able to desaturate linoleic acid.
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D014417:Tupaia / Q000378:metabolism*; D014418:Tupaiidae / Q000378:metabolism*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential