Although complete catch-up growth was not observed during this short period of starvation/re-feeding, high growth rate was observed after food delivery in fish which were kept fasted after feeding. High body weight gains after food delivery result from several procedures. Initially, a relatively low basal
Tubastatin A is observed because the weight of fish is lower and sparing mechanisms are maintained beyond the restricted growth phase for several weeks. The lower metabolic rate stems possibly from the reduced weight of viscera during the initial phase of compensatory growth. This may explain that a relatively higher proportion of
energy can be used to cover growth requirements. In some cases, an enhanced food intake is also observed, adding to compensatory growth (see Hornick et al., 2000). Food-restricted fish gain less body mass and storage reserves than well-fed fish, and reduced rates of gain often trigger compensatory responses, characterized by increases appetite (hyperphagia) and growth rate (Johansen et al., 2001).
