engleski

Insight into free-ranging gray wolves’ physiological status from fatty acid composition perspective of different tissues

Composition of fatty acids (FAs) of different tissues can provide insight into feeding patterns, physiological status, and health assessment, which is especially important for free-ranging top predators. In that regard, this study was conducted on 18 individuals (F, N=12 ; M, N=6) that mostly died as road or railroad mortalities during 2015-2018. Low sample number can be explained by the fact that gray wolf (Canis lupus, GW) in Croatia is strictly protected species and since 2013 there have been no legal interventions in the population. Samples from hind leg muscles (HLM), subcutaneous (SAT) and perirenal (PAT) adipose tissues were collected from different GW habitats throughout Croatia. After homogenization and lipid extraction, the FA composition of tissues was determined by gas chromatography. Saturated FA were the most represented in HLM lipids, followed by polyunsaturated FA and monounsaturated FA (SFA:PUFA:MUFA ; 4.1:3.0:2.9 in females vs. 4.1:3.6:2.3 in males). In SAT and PAT occurrences were as follows, MUFA:SFA:PUFA=4.7:4.1:1.3, females vs. 4.5:4.5:1.0, males and 4.8:3.9:1.3, females vs. 4.1:4.8:1.1, males. Younger (<2 year) and heavier females (>25 kg) had significantly higher percentages of C18:2n-6 and C15:0 compared to younger (<2 year) and heavier (>32 kg) males in HLM. Lighter females (<25 kg) had significantly higher percentage of C18:2n-6 compared to lighter males (<32 kg) in HLM. In this research high representation of C18:1n-9 in SAT and presence of trans FA, ie. C16:1t in tissues, agrees with feeding habits comprising ruminants. Results agree with our previous studies on GW stomach content and FA composition of tissues. Fatty acids such as C15:0, C18:2n-6 have a positive association with an individual’s health and are required for normal physiological functions linked to membrane integrity and regulatory cell signals. Larger samples size is needed to provide better health assessments and more precise determination on feed selection supporting the European idea of coexistence between humans and large carnivores.

fatty acids, gray wolf, feeding habits, health status

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