INFLUENCE OF LIPID STATUS ON TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANT OCTACHLOROSTYRENE IN ARCTIC CHARR (SALVELINUS-ALPINUS)

The tissue distribution of the lipophilic persistent pollutant octachl orostyrene (OCS) in relation to the amount, composition and localizati on of body lipids was investigated in two groups of Arctic charr, whic h before OCS administration had been held on a restricted feed ration (lean charr) or fed to satiation (fat charr). Lean charr were only a l ittle over a third of the size of the fat charr, with most tissues and organs having a substantially lower concentration of triacylglycerols but only a slightly lower concentration of phospholipids and choleste rol than those of fat charr. No differences were found between the two groups, regarding the size or lipid content and composition of the br ain. The tissue concentration of OCS was positively correlated with th e concentration of triacylglycerols and negatively correlated with pho spholipids and cholesterol. The proportion of the total body burden of OCS deposited in extra-adipose tissues was higher in the lean charr ( 28%) than in fat charr (13%). The mean OCS concentration in the brain of the lean charr was almost four times higher than in fat charr. The results indicate an increased risk of xenobiotic-associated stress whe n storage lipids are depleted, for example, during the period in which anadromous salmonid fish undergo the morphological, physiological and behavioral pre-adaptations necessary for a successful seaward migrati on. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.