Effect of castration and cryptorchidism on fatty acid content of ovine adipose tissue.

Fatty acid analyses of perinephric and subcutaneous adipose tissue were made on 50 of Mehraban and Bakhriari breeds lambs to determine the effect of castration and cryptorchidism on ovine lipid composition. The level of stearic acid was significantly higher (p < 0·05) in cryptorchids than in wethers. Rams were also higher (p < 0·05) in the percentage of linoleic acid of the internal adipose tissue than wethers. The percentage of palmitic acid of subcutaneous tissue was higher (p < 0·05) in cryptorchid than rams. There was a tendency toward less saturated (palmitic and stearic) acids, but more unsaturated (oleic and linoleic) acids in rams than in wethers. The perinephric fat was more saturated than subcutaneous fat.