Lipids and sterols in Musca domestica L. (Diptera, Muscidae): changes after treatment with sucrose and lead.

Total lipid, fatty acid and sterol composition of larvae and adults of Musca domestica was investigated before and after feeding on sucrose syrup or on the same syrup containing 1% lead nitrate. The effects of sucrose and of lead ions were found to be different. In larvae sucrose diet inhibited the fatty acid elongation and stimulated the first stages of their unsaturation. A significant increase of phytosterol concentrations was obtained. These changes increased the cell membrane permeability. The addition of lead caused a decrease of the fatty acid unsaturation, which decreased the cell membrane permeability. In adults the sucrose diet had no effect on the lipid and sterol composition, while the addition of lead decreased the cholesterol concentration. The composition of lipids and sterols also depends on the diet of larvae before pupation. The data obtained suggested that changes in lipid and sterol composition, which control the permeability of the cell membrane, might be an adaptive response of the organism to the changes of the environment.