Fatty acid composition and cholesterol concentration in tissues of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) as influenced by lactation, age, and season of the year.

The purpose of this study was to determine effects of lactation, season, and age on fatty acid compositions of adipose tissue (subcutaneous and perirenal), liver, and muscle (m. longissimus dorsi), and on cholesterol concentration of liver and muscle, of female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Lactation did not affect fatty acid composition in adipose tissue or muscle, but in liver, weight percentages of 18:2 were lower, and of 20:4 higher in non-lactating does. Increased age (fawns, yearlings, 2 and 3+(-)years old) decreased 14:0, 15:0, and 16:0 in subcutaneous adipose tissue; decreased 14:0, 15:0, 16:1, 18:2, and increased 18:0 in perirenal adipose tissue; increased 18:1 and decreased 18:2 in liver; and increased 18:1, 18:3, and 20:4, and decreased 18:2 in muscle. Season of the year had little effect on adipose tissue and muscle fatty acids. Liver of fall season does had greater concentrations of most fatty acids than winter does, and cholesterol concentration was greatest in liver of winter does. It was concluded that season and lactation minimally affect fatty acid composition in adipose and muscle, whereas changes in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids occur with increased age. Also, liver fatty acids are influenced by each parameter studied, but cholesterol varies only with season.