Effect of starvation on contents of water and lipides of tissues of Clarius lazera

Abstract

1. The effect of starvation on the relative and absolute values of lipides and water in the different tissues of Clarius lazera was worked out. 2. After 2 months of starvation, a decrease in absolute values of lipides occurs in all the tissues studied with the exception of the liver and alimentary canal. 3. Further increase in the period of starvation from 2 to 4 and 7 months of starvation, leads to a correlated prominent decrease in absolute values of lipides. The heart, respiratory organs, and brain seem to retain a constant reserve of lipides within their tissues, therefore no further decrease in lipid occurs with the increase of the period of starvation from 4 to 7 months. 4. After 7 months of starvation maximum decrease in lipid content occurs in blood, skeletal muscles, alimentary canal, respiratory organs and spleen, while minimum decrease in lipid was noticed in the tissues of brain, heart, liver and kidney. After the same period of starvation, big decrease in absolute values of water occurs in liver, spleen, alimentary canal and kidney, while little decrease in water occurs in skin, brain, respiratory organs and heart.