A 6-day starvation produced a marked effect on the ribosomal profile of rat liver by decreasing heavier polysomes and increasing lighter ones. When starved rats were refed for 24 h, a rapid formation of heavier polysomes was detected with a concurrent decrease in the lighter polysomes. On comparing the autodegradation capacity of the hepatic ribosomes of starved, starved–refed, and control animals, it was found that starved rats were about five times more active than starved–refed rats and 44% more active than the controls.