Differential utilization of proteins in Anabas testudineus(Bloch) exposed to brief and prolonged fasting
Keywords:
Proteins, Anabas, starvation stress, gluconeogenesis, fasting, hormonesAbstract
In the present study total proteins were investigated and estimated in Anabas testudineus (Bloch) which was exposed to brief (15days) and prolonged fasting (60days).Method developed by Lowry et.al (1951) was adopted to estimate the total proteins. Six tissues were selected for the study. The results showed differential utilization of protein in selected tissues. (liver, kidney, brain, accessory respiratory organ, pectoral and lateral line muscle).There was an overall decline observed in the protein levels in most of tissues, with the exception being liver, brain and accessory respiratory organ which showed an increase in protein levels. This increase also was not found to be uniform. Liver and brain showed an elevation only during long term fasting and accessory respiratory organ showed an insignificant increase during both the fasting regimes. This significant depletion of total proteins in most of the tissues of Anabas during both the fasting regimes, suggests protein utilization to satisfy the energy demands and to combat the stressful condition and thus prolonging the longevity of the starving Anabas.