Lipid classes and fatty acid composition of the eggs of some Australian fish

Abstract

1. 1. Wax esters, triglycerides, sterols and their esters and phospholipids were found in the eggs of six species of Australian fish. 2. 2. The high proportion of wax ester in golden perch eggs is interpreted as an adaptation to provide bouyancy rather than an additional energy source. 3. 3. Fatty acids of both the ( n-3) and the ( n-6) series were found in the eggs of all species, but the relative proportions of the two fatty acid series indicated a greater dependence on the ( n-3) than on the ( n-6) series in barramundi and golden perch than in the other species.