SEASONAL-CHANGES IN CHOLESTEROL CONTENT OF THE MUSCLE OF THE CATFISH CLARIAS-BATRACHUS L

Cyclic changes in cholesterol content were studied in the muscle of C. batrachus. Higher values of cholesterol recorded during winter months coincided with high feeding intensity of fish. In summer months, a low value was attributed to low feeding intensity. Cholesterol level was affected greatly by gonad maturation and spawning. A gradual depletion occurred as gonads matured. A mimimum occurred in fully ripe fish during the spawning period (May, June and July). The diversion of muscle cholesterol to the development of gonads in the form of sex hormones was indicated. An increase in cholesterol after spawning was due to recovery of the fish from the strenuous act of spawning.