Utilization of lipids during aestivation of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens.

ABSTRACT

Sequential alterations of body weights as well as total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and ketone body levels in the blood of Protopterus annectens during twelve month duration of aestivation were investigated. The results revealed that after the first trimester of dormancy, there was significant body weight reduction (p<0.05) coupled with significant hypolipodaemia, hypotriacylgly-cerolaemia and hypocholesterolaemia respectively (p<0.05) but without significant ketonaemia (p<0.05). The total lipid, triglyceride, cholesterol and body weight reductions continued through the second, third and fourth trimesters of aestivation respectively (p<0.05) but with serum ketone body levels remaining unaltered (p<0.05). Thus, the utilization of lipids as a source of energy during aestivation of P. annectens does not lead to ketone body accumulation.