Changes in the Body Composition with Age of Goldeye, Hiodon alosoides

Abstract

Male goldeye, Hiodon alosoides, grew faster, matured earlier, and had a shorter lifespan than females as did exploited compared with unexploited populations. Instantaneous growth rates of the body organs and tissues were usually higher in the male than in the female. The proportion of fat to the total constituents in the muscle, liver, gut, and carcase of female and the gut and carcase of male goldeye declined with age while that in the ovary increased. The proportion of protein in the body tissues and organs of both sexes remained approximately constant with age. Ash content increased in the carcase of older females and males. Glycogen concentration in the liver varied extensively and was considered as indicator of stress and unrelated to aging processes. Between the ages of 10 and 16 yr the energy content of the female soma increased by 44% whereas the energy content of the ovary increased by 121%. The ovary selected essential fatty acids at the expense of the soma.