Changes in NPY gene expression during exogenus starvation in H. fossilis

Starvation condition is experienced in many fish species every year, due to various environmental conditions. Also, it is evident that starvation results in mortality. Metabolic enzymes, RNA/DNA ratio and protein also get affected during fasting. We aimed to investigate the distribution of endocrine cell immunoreactivity for the neuropeptide-Y (NP-Y) in stomach and intestinal region of digestive tract of teleost cat fish Heteropneustes fossilis, by using immunocytochemistry. The present study also focused to access the effect of starvation on mRNA gene expression in the intestine of the fish. The results revealed the NP-Y immunoreactive endocrine cells from the intestine of Heteropneustes fossilis were quite varied as compared to other teleost fish species. Stomach showed complete absence of immunoreactivity. mRNA concentration increased significantly in middle region due to increased in starvation period. Above findings confirmed the role of NPY in regulation of feeding and digestion.