ABSTRACT
The myofibrillar ATPase activity of the epaxial white muscle was measured in carp Cyprinus carpio L. acclimated to 10°C or 28°C. As previously reported, cold acclimation was associated with an increase in the ATPase specific activity and a decrease in the thermostability.
The water content of the white muscle was significantly higher in cold-acclimated fish than in warm-acclimated fish (P< 0·002). Starvation for 10 weeks resulted in a significant increase in the white muscle water content of both warm- and cold-acclimated fish (P< 0·002).
When carp were starved, the ability of the myofibrillar ATPase to show thermal compensation disappeared.
Previously acclimated fish, when starved, showed steady alterations of the myofibrillar ATPase activity to a level mid-way between the acclimated extremes. Refeeding resulted in a gradual return to the normal acclimated level.
