DIETARY LIPIDS AND ADIPOSE-TISSUE FATTY-ACIDS IN THE MARMOSET MONKEY (CALLITHRIX-JACCHUS)

The fatty acid composition of marmoset monkey perirenal fat was examin ed after long-term feeding of different lipid supplemented diets. Satu rated fatty acid supplementation significantly reduced linoleic acid; n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation decreased oleic acid but did not reduce the saturated fatty acid content of perirenal fat. Dietary supplementation with fish oil also reduced the level of l inoleic acid but increased the level of palmitic acid as well as that of the long-chain n-3 PUFAs. Perirenal fat levels of Linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are reliable measures of n-6 and n-3 PUFA intake respectively, but the levels of saturated fatty acids palmitic and st earic do not accurately reflect the marmosets dietary intake.