Nutritional status and gene expression along the somatotropic axis in roach (Rutilus rutilus) infected with the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis

► The tapeworm Ligula intestinalis inhibits gametogenesis of its fish hosts. ► Two groups of naturally infected and uninfected roach were studied. ► We analyzed nutritional resources and the endocrine somatotropic axis of the fish. ► Results do not indicate starvation of L. intestinalis infected roach. ► Inhibition of reproduction attenuated the nutritional demand of parasitization.