Evaluating fatty acid profiles in anisakid nematode parasites and adjacent tissue of European hake (Merluccius merluccius): a first insight into local host-parasite lipid dynamics.
Jo��o P Monteiro, Tiago Sousa, Marisa Pinho, Fernando Atroch, Lu��s Filipe Rangel, Camilo Ayra Pardo, Maria Jo��o Santos, Rita Barracosa, Felisa Rey, M Ros��rio Domingues, Ricardo Calado
Author Information
Jo��o P Monteiro: CESAM & Departamento de Qu��mica, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universit��rio de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. jpspmonteiro@yahoo.com.
Tiago Sousa: CESAM & Departamento de Qu��mica, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universit��rio de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
Marisa Pinho: CESAM & Departamento de Qu��mica, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universit��rio de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
Fernando Atroch: Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Bioprospection, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and CIIMAR, Departmento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ci��ncias, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, FC4, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
Lu��s Filipe Rangel: CIIMAR, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leix��es, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
Camilo Ayra Pardo: CIIMAR, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leix��es, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
Maria Jo��o Santos: Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Bioprospection, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and CIIMAR, Departmento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ci��ncias, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, FC4, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
Rita Barracosa: MC Shared Services S.A. - Rua Jo��o Mendon��a, 529, 4464-501 Senhora da Hora, Matosinhos, Portugal.
Felisa Rey: CESAM & Departamento de Qu��mica, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universit��rio de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
M Ros��rio Domingues: CESAM & Departamento de Qu��mica, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universit��rio de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. mrd@ua.pt.
Ricardo Calado: ECOMARE & CESAM & Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universit��rio de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. rjcalado@ua.pt.
Parasitism in fish is a widespread and ecologically significant phenomenon, affecting fish in both wild and aquaculture environments. Comprehending parasitism is essential for managing fish populations, protecting fish health, and preventing human exposure to zoonotic parasites. Understanding lipid dynamics between parasitic organisms and their hosts is crucial for elucidating host-parasite interactions. Although the third larval (L3) stage of anisakid larvae is not a developing stage, and therefore not as dependent on the host for the acquisition of nutrients, there are hints of interplay between parasites and fish hosts, also in terms of lipid content. This study aimed to characterize for the first time the fatty acid profiles of anisakid nematode parasites and adjacent tissue in the European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in order to shed some light on these intricate relationships. Fatty acid analysis revealed significant differences in the percentages of individual fatty acids between anisakid nematodes and adjacent European hake tissue. Anisakids presented a higher content in stearic (18:0), vaccenic (18:1n-7), and linoleic (18:2n-6) acids, while in turn, the belly flap tissue of the fish presented significantly higher contents in palmitic (16:0) and especially docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) than the parasite. These differences suggest unique lipid metabolic pathways between parasite and fish, and that parasitism and the possible acquisition of lipids from the host (hake) do not profoundly shape the fatty acid profile of the parasites. Furthermore, the distinct fatty acid signatures described for parasites and hosts may serve as baselines to follow possible changes in the ecological statuses of both species and even to appraise the nutritional features of European hake when affected by parasitism. This study provides valuable insights into the lipid dynamics within host-parasite systems and underscores the importance of further research to unravel the complexities of these interactions.
