Yonkova, P. Y., G. S. Mihaylova, S. S. Ribarski, V. D. Doichev, R. S. Dimitrov & M. G. Stefanov, 2017.

Fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and visceral fat depots in New Zealand white rabbits.

Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 20, No 3, 204–214.  DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.1005

The aim of this study was to identify the differences in the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and visceral fat depots in healthy New Zealand White rabbits. Twelve clinically healthy rabbits with an average weight of 3.00±0.03 kg were used. The fatty acid composition of interscapular, inguinal, pericardial, perirenal and omental fat depots was determined by gas chromatography. The palmitic (C16:0) and linoleic (C18:2) acids, followed by oleic acid (C18:1) prevailed in all fat depots. The highest percentage of palmitic acid (C16:0) was detected in subcutaneous depots: inguinal (41.05±1.80%) and interscapular (38.30±0.73%), whereas the highest percentage of linoleic acid (C18:2) was found in the visceral depots: perirenal (44.26±0.96%) and pericardial (42.77±1.19%). Among the saturated fatty acids, myristic (C14:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) were established in higher content in subcutaneous depots than in visceral ones. Palmitoleic acid (C16:1) content in the pericardial fat depot was 10.63±2.60%, while in the interscapular, perirenal, omental and inguinal FD it was almost twice lower (р<0.001). In the omental depot, α-linolenic acid (C18:3) content was significantly higher only vs the interscapular depot (p<0.05). The high content of saturated fatty acids in the subcutaneous depots determined their higher atherogenic and saturation index, unlike visceral ones, where a significantly higher content of unsaturated fatty acids was reported. Differences in fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and visceral fat depots proved the specific metabolism in each of them. On the other hand, this led to differences in the nutritional value of various parts of rabbit carcass.

Key words: fatty acid composition, rabbits, subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue