Depot sterols in comparisons with structural sterols in Cancer pagurus and Eriocheir sinensis

Abstract

The differences in sterol content and sterol composition between the midgut gland and remaining parts (structural lipids) of male and female specimens of Cancer pagurus and Eriocheir sinensis are investigated. There are no differences in sterol content in the structural lipids between male and female specimens of the same species. Also the sterol content in the midgut gland of male and female Eriocheir sinensis is equal, whereas in the midgut gland of the male specimens of Cancer pagurus the sterol content is about twice as high as in the midgut gland of the reproductive female one.

The main sterol is cholesterol (82 to 93%) in both sexes of both species investigated. The highest cholesterol contents are found in the structural lipids of both specimens and also in the eggs of Cancer pagurus.

Small quantities of campesterol, brassicasterol, 22-dehydrocholesterol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol are shown in all fractions.

The principal difference in sterol composition between the two species is the higher quantity of campesterol and β-sitosterol in Eriocheir sinensis in exchange for cholesterol in Cancer pagurus.