Prolonged fasting followed by refeeding modifies proteome profile and parvalbumin expression in the fast-twitch muscle of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus).

Here, we analyzed the fast-twitch muscle of juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu) submitted to prolonged fasting (30d) and refeeding (6h, 24h, 48h and 30d). We measured the relative rate of weight and length increase (RRIlength and RRIweight), performed shotgun proteomic analysis and did Western blotting for PVALB after 30d of fasting and 30d of refeeding. We assessed the gene expression of igf-1, mafbx and pvalb after 30d of fasting and after 6h, 24h, 48h and 30d of refeeding.

Proteomic analysis of the fast-twitch muscle of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) after prolonged fasting and compensatory growth.

Protocols that improve growth performance in fish while assuring product quality are important for aquaculture. Fasting followed by refeeding may promote compensatory growth, thus optimizing growth performance. During fasting and refeeding, fast-twitch muscle, which comprises most of fish fillet, undergoes intense plasticity.