Arachidonic acid: Occurrence in the reproductive tract of the male house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and field cricket (Gryllus spp.)

Abstract

Reproductive tissues from male house and field crickets were investigated for the presence of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid was identified by retention behavior on 3 gas liquid chromatographic column systems—SE-30, OV 225, and Silar 10C—and by gas liquid/positive ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Arachidonic acid constituted 0.3 and 1.2% of total fatty acids in the house and field cricket, respectively. Freeze-dried male reproductive tissues from house and field cricket contained ca. 0.02 and 0.16% arachidonic acid and 8.2 and 8.6% total fatty acids. Other fatty acids found in reproductive tracts of both species of crickets were 16∶0, 18∶0, 18∶1, 18∶2, 20∶0, 20∶1 and 20∶3.