[Fatty acid composition of the helminths of cold- and warm-blooded vertebrates]

Studies have been made on fatty acid composition of 5 species of parasitic helminthes from fish, birds and mammals. As compared to the lipids from helminthes of endothermic animals (Diphylobothrium dendriticum and Toxascaris leonina), those from fish parasites (Eubothrium crassum, Triaenophorus nodulosus and Metechynorhynchus salmonis) are less saturated and contain higher amounts of penta- and hexaenic acids, acids of omega 3 type, being less rich in the content of stearic, oleic, dienic and omega 6 acids. It is concluded that the formation of fatty acid composition in helminthes is controlled not only by the feeding pattern of the host, but also by the temperature of the latter.