In our recent studies domesticated fowl species in the range from 150 g (Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica) to 19 kg (turkey, Meleagris gallopavo) were analysed, to elucidate supposed allometric relationship of the membrane lipid fatty acids (FA). The basis of all studies was the „membranes as pacemakers of metabolism” by Hulbert (Lipids, 2007, 42, 811-819). First in the myocardium (B=-0.6), later in the avian kidney (-0.18) and lung (-0.24), as well as liver (-0.2) negative allometric scaling was found for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In the membrane FAs of all these tissues rather balanced polyunsaturation, negatively scaling n3 and unsaturation index and oppositely related n6 and monounsaturated FA molar proportions were described. In the lavaged avian lung surfactant phopsholipids we reported similar negative allometry for DHA. In contarst, avian brain phospholipid FA composition failed to provide body mass relation. We found unexpected results (positive allometry for n3 FAs, DHA, unsaturation index) in the m. pectoralis superficialis phospholipids during turkey ontogenesis. In all the aforementioned splanchnic organs the concentration of whole tissue malondialdehyde was also negatively related to body mass (B=-0.16, -0.05, -0.17, -0,13 in the heart, lung, kidney and liver). Results indicate a special regulatory role for DHA, in agreement with the membrane pacemaker theory, while suggest also a strong predispository and linking role for this acid and the polyunsaturated n3 FAs towards non enzymatic lipid peroxidation
