Vitamin C Dynamics in the Reproductive Tissues of Starved Clarias batrachus: Male vs. Female

Abstrak

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.

Kata Kunci