Mechanical and biochemical components of apparent specific dynamic action in largemouth bass, Micropterm salmoides Lacéepède

Apparent SDA was defined as the energy expenditure associated with the ingestion of a meal. In the present study apparent SDA was equated to an increase in oxygen consumption above the postabsorptive level subsequent to the ingestion of a meal. The energy cost for physically processing a meal, mechanical SDA, was equated to the oxygen uptake associated with the ingestion of non‐digestible cellulose. The energy utilized by anabolic and catabolic processes associated with the ingestion of a standard diet was identified as biochemical SDA. Apparent, mechanical and biochemical SDA were each positively related to the energy intake of the standard diet. Apparent SDA expressed relatively to energy ingested equalled 10·5% and was independent of the caloric content of the meal. Mechanical SDA increased asymptotically with ingested meal size and energy content. Relative to apparent SDA, mechanical SDA decreased with meal size, suggestive of an enhancement in efficiency. Biochemical SDA rose exponentially with increase in ingested energy, reflective of the cost for growth and catabolism.