Effects of starvation on proximate chemical composition and energy utilization of plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

Abstract

Proximate analysis of the body tissues of plaice showed that body fat was the major storage reserve utilized during starvation. Although the liver and gut were much depleted during the period of the fast they contributed only a small proportion of the metabolizable energy. Atrophy of the gut led to reductions in motor activity but the ability to digest and absorb nutrients was not impaired. Assessments of energy utilization using proximate analysis and calculations from ammonia quotient determinations are compared and show that during the latter part of the fast 20–25% of the energy utilized was derived from protein catabolism.