METABOLISM OF 4,7,10,13,16,19-DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID IN ISOLATED-PERFUSED ADULT AND NEWBORN PIG EYES

We performed open-circuit perfusions of newborn and adult pig eyes to study the age-dependent metabolism of 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in this organ. DHA taken up by the perfused eyes was partit ioned into glycerolipids, beta-oxidation, and the intracellular nonest erified fatty acid pool. In newborn eyes, DHA was incorporated into st ructural lipids to a greater extent than in adult eyes. Competition ex periments suggest that the adult eye is more selective for DHA than th e newborn eye. Finally, pulse-chase data indicate that DHA transport f rom the circulation across the retinal pigment epithelium and into the retina is more rapid in adult than in newborn eyes. The results are d iscussed with respect to the rapid accumulation of retinal DHA in earl y life and the avid retention of this fatty acid by the adult retina.