Dynamics of Body Composition, RNA:DNA Ratio and Elemental Concentration of Rohu Labeo rohita (Ham.) in Relation to Stress Induced by Fasting

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to examine composition changes in rohu during feed deprivation. Rohu fingerlings (initial weight =12.86 ± 2.81gm, initial length = 11.26 ± 2.59 cm) were subjected to feed deprivation for 0 (control), 15, 30 and 45 days at temperature of 32 ± 2°C. Results revealed that % water, % ash increased, % organic contents and RNA:DNA ratio decreased significantly while % protein remained fairly constant on percent dry weight basis. Results also revealed that among elements when analyzed on absolute amount basis only calcium was significantly affected by starvation showing linear increase while all other elements showed a trend of increase in initial days of starvation and then decreased later. The overall effect of starvation on sodium, magnesium, zinc and iron was nonsignificant.