The fatty acid profile in cod (<i>Gadus morhua</i>L.) eggs and larvae. Developmental variations and responses to oil pollution

Abstract

Abstract The fatty acid profile was determined in single eggs and larvae of cod. By principal component analysis, a multivariate statistical method, the profile was shown to change during egg development from fertilization to hatching, and also during development of the larvae from hatching until the yolk sack was absorbed. Exposure of the eggs to 280 ± 150 μg/l of the water-soluble fraction of Statfjord crude oil had no apparent effect on the profile. On the other hand, exposure of the larvae to 230 ± 110 μg/l caused an effect during final yolk absorbtion, manifested mainly as a slower disappearance of 22:6 (n-3).