engleski

Comparison of mesenteric and tissue fat content in relation to sexual cycle of the sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walb., 1792), in the eastern Middle Adriatic fishery grounds (Croatia)

The study objective was to analyse sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walb., 1792) for mesenteric fat, which is easier to evaluate than the muscle lipid, for comparison thereof with the sexual cycle and condition of the examined specimens. Fat reserves, moisture and the sexual cycle of sardines were studied from monthly random samples of purse seine catches from March 2004 to February 2005. A total of 1 209 specimens were collected, (668 males ; 541 females). Total length and mass ranged from 13.0 to 19.0 cm and from 16.7 to 51.5 g, respectively Lipid analysis in muscle tissues were done using the Soxhlet method. An inverse relation between fat content and the sexual cycle was established. Greatest fat quantities were observed in August (72%) during the gonadal resting phase ; lowest values were noted in winter and spring during the spawning period peak. Moisture content and sexual cycle were positively correlated (r=0.7913). Total lipids in sardine tissues were higher in females than in males ; however the moisture content was higher in males than in females.

sardine; Adriatic Sea; sexual cycle; mesenteric fat; tissue fat

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