Long-term storage at -20°C compromises fatty acid composition of polar bear adipose biopsies
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Abstract
This study aimed to gain insight into the influence of storage time and temperature on fatty acid (FA) signatures of biopsies of marine mammal adipose/blubber tissues. To examine storage effects, biopsy-type slices from larger pieces of adipose tissues from 2 polar bears Ursus maritimus were stored at either -20 or -80°C and subsequently analyzed for fatty acid composition initially (before storage), after 4 yr, and after 9 yr. At -20°C, after both 4 and 9 yr, proportions of polyunsaturated FAs significantly decreased, and proportions of monounsaturated FAs increased. Proportions of saturated FAs significantly increased only after 9 yr at -20°C in samples of 1 individual. After 4 and 9 yr of storage at -80°C, proportions of the 3 FA classes did not significantly change overall. Intra-individual differences in FA proportions increased over time in -20°C conditions, further pointing to biases stemming from inadequate storage conditions. These findings support the need to store biopsied fatty tissues (or other similarly thin and/or small adipose/blubber samples) at or below -80°C to adequately preserve FA signatures in samples over time for retrospective applications such as dietary studies.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Long-term storage at -20°C compromises fatty acid composition of polar bear adipose biopsies |
| Series title | Marine Ecology Progress Series |
| DOI | 10.3354/meps14501 |
| Volume | 728 |
| Publication Date | February 08, 2024 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Inter-Research |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center Ecosystems |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 75 |
| Last page | 80 |