Lipid profiling suggests species specificity and minimal seasonal variation in Pacific Green and Hawksbill Turtle plasma

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 19;16(7):e0253916. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253916. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

In this study, we applied multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-profiling to explore the relative ion intensity of lipid classes in plasma samples from sea turtles in order to profile lipids relevant to sea turtle physiology and investigate how dynamic ocean environments affect these profiles. We collected plasma samples from foraging green (Chelonia mydas, n = 28) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, n = 16) turtles live captured in North Pacific Costa Rica in 2017. From these samples, we identified 623 MRMs belonging to 10 lipid classes (sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, free fatty acid, cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, ceramide, and triacylglyceride) and one metabolite group (acyl-carnitine) present in sea turtle plasma. The relative ion intensities of most lipids (80%) were consistent between species, across seasons, and were not correlated to body size or estimated sex. Of the differences we observed, the most pronounced was the differences in relative ion intensity between species. We identified 123 lipids that had species-specific relative ion intensities. While some of this variability is likely due to green and hawksbill turtles consuming different food items, we found indications of a phylogenetic component as well. Of these, we identified 47 lipids that varied by season, most belonging to the structural phospholipid classes. Overall, more lipids (n = 39) had higher relative ion intensity in the upwelling (colder) season compared to the non-upwelling season (n = 8). Further, we found more variability in hawksbill turtles than green turtles. Here, we provide the framework in which to apply future lipid profiling in the assessment of health, physiology, and behavior in endangered sea turtles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Climate
  • Costa Rica
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lipids / classification
  • Lipids / genetics
  • Phylogeny*
  • Seasons
  • Species Specificity*
  • Turtles / genetics*
  • Turtles / physiology

Substances

  • Lipids

Grants and funding

Funding for this project was provided by the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, The Leatherback Trust, Fort Wayne, IN and Equipo Tora Carey, San Jose, CR (to CCB). This work was also supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch Project 1019737 (to EAF) and Jack W. Schrey Distinguished Professorship funds (to FVP). Funding sources had no role in study design, analysis or interpretation of data, or writing of final report.