Effect of Starvation on Organ Weight and Chemical Component of Red Sea Bream

Abstract

To determine the effect of starvation on the organ weight and chemical components of red sea bream, Chrysophrys major, wild fish were starved for 90-days at 13-18 degree C. At fixed days (0, 1, 2, 4, 9, 15, 30, 70 and 90th day), 10 fish were selected for the determination of the fork length, weight, and chemical components of the whole body and organs. The condition factor decreased over the starving period. The weight of liver and intestine with adipose tissue declined drastically from the 9th day till the 30th day, and the weight of the heart decreased after the 30th day. However, the weight of spleen increased till the 15th day before the onset of the decline. A decreasing lipid content was first recognized in the liver, and then in the vertebrae and dorsal muscle. Glycogen in the liver increased till the 4th day, and decreased rapidly thereafter. Protein in the dorsal muscle was catabolized severely from the 9th day till the 30th day. The moisture contents of liver and dorsal muscle increased with the decline in lipid, glycogen, and protein content. Mineral composition of the vertebrae was not affected by the starvation.