Effect of starvation on energy reserves and metabolism in the Northern abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana

Abstract

The effects of starvation on levels of tissue glycogen, blood glucose, and oxygen consumption, as well as on condition index and meat palatability were investigated in the Northern abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana. Glycogen reserves were depleted within 6 days of starvation in the digestive gland and after 27 days of starvation in the foot muscle, but were spared, at least in relative concentration, in the gonad. Blood glucose titre dropped to about half of the normal (control) level of 23–27 μg·ml −1 by 6 days of starvation. Oxygen consumption appeared to be maintained at normal, or even slightly enhanced, levels during the starvation period, and feeding of starved animals after 3.5 weeks resulted in a quick return to normal rates. Change in condition index was insignificant over the 27-day period. Finally, meat quality was unaffected over 27 days of starvation, as appraised by a taste-testing panel. It is concluded that 27 days of starvation led to no debilitating illness or excessive weight loss, nor to loss in meat quality in the abalone.