Vitamin C Dynamics in the Reproductive Tissues of Starved Clarias batrachus: Male vs. Female
Keywords:
Catfish, Gonads, Starvation, Vitamin CAbstract
This study explores the impact of prolonged starvation on Vitamin C levels in the reproductive tissues of male and female Clarias batrachus. Previous research has primarily focused on mammalian fauna, leaving a gap in understanding the starvation effects on fish in Nepal. Using a 24-dinitrophenylhydrazine method, Vitamin C concentrations in the testes and ovaries were measured after 10, 20, 30, and 40 days of starvation. Findings revealed that under normal conditions, males had higher Vitamin C levels (13.26 mg/100 g) compared to females (8.41 mg/100 g). Prolonged starvation led to a significant decline in Vitamin C levels, with females experiencing a 53% reduction and males a 51% reduction by the end of the 40-day period. These results indicate a differential impact of starvation on male and female reproductive health, underscoring the need for further research into the physiological and biochemical adaptation mechanisms of Clarias batrachus during food scarcity.
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