Seasonal Variations in Protein, RNA and DNA Concentrations in Major Carps, Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhina mrigala

Abstract

Seasonal variations in the concentrations of protein, RNA and DNA, and the RNA/DNA ratio were studied in the liver of major carps,Catla catla, Labeo rohita andCirrhina mrigala during their prematurity phase. These biochemical parameters maintained strikingly similar patterns of change in the three species. Alterations in nucleic acids were reciprocal to that of protein. Magnitude of such interrelation, however, varied with the season. Protein level was generally low during winter and high in the summer months, attaining peak value in March and June. Higher concentrations of RNA and DNA were registered in December and June and a sharp decline was evident in January as well as July. During the remaining months, protein, RNA and DNA varied intermittently, but not profoundly.