The Variation of Lipids and Cholesterol Contents in the Tissues of Prawn, Penaeus japonicus, during the Molting Cycle

Abstract

This study deals with the variation in the content of lipids and cholesterol in the tissues of a prawn, Penaeus japonicus, with the molting stages, postmolt, intermolt, and premolt. The lipid content was highest in the eyestalk and hepatopancreas among the tissues examined. The hepatopancreatic lipid content varied during the molting cycle, reaching a maximum value at the premolt stage. In contrast, that of the eyestalk remained almost constant throughout the molting cycle. The cholesterol content was highest in the eyestalk among the tissues examined. In addition, the hypodermis had a considerably high cholesterol content. During the molting cycle, the cholesterol content of the eyestalk varied, reaching a maximum at the intermolt stage. © 1976, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.