The metabolic effects of prolonged starvation and refeeding in sturgeon and rainbow trout

Abstract

The present study examines the particular metabolic strategies of the sturgeon Acipenser naccarii in facing a period of prolonged starvation (72 days) and subsequent refeeding (60 days) compared to the trout Oncorhynchus mykiss response under similar conditions. Plasma metabolites, endogenous reserves, and the activity of intermediate enzymes in liver and white muscle were evaluated. This study shows the mobilization of tissue reserves during a starvation period in both species with an associated enzymatic response. The sturgeon displayed an early increase in hepatic glycolysis during starvation. The trout preferentially used lactate for gluconeogenesis in liver and white muscle. The sturgeon had higher lipid-degradation capacity and greater synthesis of hepatic ketone bodies than the trout, although this latter species also showed strong synthesis of ketone bodies during starvation. During refeeding, the metabolic activity present before starvation was recovered in both fish, with a reestablishment of tissue reserves, plasmatic parameters (glucemia and cholesterol), and enzymatic activities in the liver and muscle. A compensatory effect in enzymes regarding lipids, ketone bodies, and oxidative metabolism was displayed in the liver of both species. There are metabolic differences between sturgeon and trout that support the contention that the sturgeon has common characteristics with elasmobranchs and teleosts.

Effect of starvation on some immunological and biochemical parameters in tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii)

“…Based on the present results, starvation periods had effects on plasma total protein, albumin and globulin; in fact these parameters in the deprived groups were significantly higher than the control group. Similar to the results of present study, Hung et al (1997), Power et al (2000), Furné et al (2012) and Ashouri et al (2013) have reported an increase in plasma protein of several fish species as a result of starvation. In contrast, some studies on teleosts fish have reported the increased levels of plasma protein in response to food deprivation (Heming & Paleczny 1987;Friedrich & Stepanowska 2001;Polakof et al 2006;Costas et al 2011;Perez-Jimenez et al 2012).…”

“…Pérez-Jimenez et al (2007) have demonstrated that starvation can decrease in plasma total triglyceride and cholesterol levels during food deprivation periods. Numerous studies have reported a reduction in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels during starvation (Hung et al 1997;Polakof et al 2006;Pérez-Jiménez et al 2007;Costas et al 2011;Furné et al 2012;Perez-Jimenez et al 2012). The outcome of the present results and other studies revealed that there will be a decline in glycogen reserves, during the food deprivation period followed by decreased plasma glucose level.…”

“…Fish immune responses may be influenced by nutritional states and feed deprivation (Kiron 2012). While a large number of studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of starvation on growth and metabolic responses of fish species of interest for aquaculture (Blasco et al 1992;De Pedro et al 2003;Pérez-Jiménez et al 2007;Costas et al 2011;Falahatkar 2012;Furné et al 2012;Pérez-Jimenez et al 2012;Yarmohamadi et al 2012), few studies have focused on the influence of fasting on the fish immune responses (Sakai 1983;Caruso et al 2010Caruso et al , 2011Caruso et al , 2012.…”

The Effect of Short-term Starvation on Some Physiological and Morphological Parameters in Juvenile Siberian Sturgeon, Acipenser Baerii (Actinopterygii: Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae)

“…In this study, in comparison to 2S and 4S groups, 8S group showed higher plasma total protein levels than those of the two other groups. Furné et al (2012) observed different effects on plasma total protein levels during starvation period for 72 days in both Adriatic sturgeon, Acipenser naccarii Bonaparte, 1836, and rainbow trout. During starvation, sturgeons are believed to use protein reserves as the third priority after glycogen and fat for obtaining the required energy for metabolism (Hung et al 1997), which is in agreement with the results acquired in this study.…”

Protein and lipid metabolism adjustments in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) during different periods of fasting and refeeding

“…However, following a longer period of fasting (14 days), the muscular reserves of lipids are mobilized, thus increasing levels of plasmatic triglycerides. According to Furné et al (2012), the mobilization of hepatic reserves of lipids is related to species, the tissue of the reserves, and the strategies via which a particular species can mobilize other energy sources.…”