RAPID HPLC ANALYSIS OF RETINOIDS AND DEHYDRORETINOIDS STORED IN FISH LIVER - COMPARISON OF 2 LAKE STURGEON POPULATIONS

All major retinoids (vitamin A) stored in the liver of lake sturgeon f rom two Quebec lakes were analysed by high-performance liquid chromato graphy (HPLC). Four HPLC peaks represented approximately 90% of all li ver retinoids. Their relative proportion was remarkably consistent in the two sturgeon populations with dehydroretinyl palmitate/oleate acco unting for the largest proportion (50-60%). Most retinoids demonstrate d significant positive correlations with age, but only in the Lake Ber thelot sturgeon. The concentrations of all major retinoids were signif icantly (P<0.0001) lower, as much as 40 times lower, in the Lake Saint -Louis population. Possible explanations for the extremely low liver s tores in the Lake Saint-Louis sturgeon are discussed. (C) 1998 The Fis heries Society of the British Isles.