Trumble, Stephen John.Robbins, Kathleen Anne.2014-06-112014-06-112014-052014-06-11http://hdl.handle.net/2104/9099Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are important as fuel during exercise in humans, yet have pathological consequences during LCFA overabundance. The northern elephant seal (NES) (Mirounga angustirostris) is a temporally insulin resistant, deep-diving marine mammal reliant on fatty acid oxidation during seasonal fasting. Over the fast, NES females and weaned pups were found to oppositely utilize monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, while polyunsaturated fatty acids generally increased in both age groups. Fatty acid transporter proteins (FATP) CD36, FATP1, FATP4 and binding protein 3 (FABP3) were detected in adult males, adult females, and pups. This thesis is the first documentation of these FATPs and FABPs in all NES age classes and expands current knowledge of lipid utilization in a mammal accustomed to a LCFA-rich diet.en-USBaylor University theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact librarywebmaster@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.Fasting.Physiology.Marine mammals.Northern elephant seal.Fatty acid.Fatty acid transporter protein.Fatty acid binding protein.Developmental stress.ThesisWorldwide access