Hormone Induced Spawning of Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus

During their first year in captivity, summer flounder Paralicthys denratus were induced to spawn with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) implants, injected carp pituitary extract (CPE) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injections. The percentage of fertile eggs was greatest (69%) in CPE-treated females. CPE, but not GnRHa or hCG, was capable of stimulating oocyte growth (increased follicle diameter during vitellogenesis) followed by ovulation. Fish with maximum ovarian follicle diameters between 180 and 435 μm at the initiation of CPE injections produced the greatest percentage of fertile eggs. For most females, fertilization rate was greatest for the first batch of eggs ovulated. The mean fertilization rate for the first spawn of CPE-treated fish was 42% compared with 14% for the second spawn from the same fish. Fish with maximum initial follicle diameters of 585 40 μm that were implanted with GnRHa ovulated the greatest number of eggs, but fertility was low and variable. Approximately 35% of females injected with hCG ovulated a limited number of eggs, but only one hCG-treated female produced fertile eggs. Only a limited number of spermiating males were available for spawning trials. Hormone treatments used on females were ineffective for inducing or maintaining spermiation in male summer flounder.     

Induced spawning of hatchery-raised Brazilian catfish, cachara Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum (Linnaeus, 1766)

In the months of January 2001 and 2002, female cachara Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum were selected during their first and second gonadal maturation (2 years and 7 months old and 3 years and 7 months old, respectively) with an of oocyte diameter of 937.5 μm (82.5% with central nuclei and 17.5% with peripheral nuclei). Nine females in first maturation received two doses of carp pituitary extract (CPE), 0.5 mg/kg and 5.0 mg/kg; seven received two doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), 5 and 10 IU/g; five received doses of 0.5 CPE mg/kg and 5 hCG IU/g (CPE+hCG); and four received 0.9% saline (saline). Nine females from CPE and seven from hCG presented oocytes with the same diameter at the moment of oocyte release (100% with germinal vesicle breakdown and fertilization rate of 53.44±18.3 and 54.81±11.8%; larvae number of 165,330±94.1 and 158,570±20.6, respectively). The five females from CPE+hCG did not respond to the hormonal treatment. The four females from the saline group did not ovulate. In January 2002, 6 of 15 selected females that were going through the second reproductive cycle received CPE (five received hCG and four received saline), showing oocyte diameters similar to the ones in the first maturation. At stripping, CPE females had an oocyte diameter of 1062.5 μm (the hCG females had oocyte diameters ranging from 937.5 to 1125.0 μm; fertilization rates of 56.08±30.9 and 81.90±17.3%; 364,547±244 and 633,129±190, larvae, respectively). The fertilization rates and larvae number were higher in the second gonad maturation, both for CPE and hCG.     

Reproductive parameters of the chub mackerel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> estimated from human chorionic gonadotropin-induced final oocyte maturation and ovulation in captivity

ABSTRACT:   Final oocyte maturation and ovulation of captive chub mackerel Scomber japonicus with fully yolk-accumulated oocytes were induced by a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin. Reproductive parameters, including spawning frequency and batch fecundity, which are required to estimate spawning biomass in pelagic fish by the daily egg production method, were analyzed. Germinal vesicle migration (GVM) occurred at 18–24 h post-injection, and the hydration and ovulation of oocytes were completed at 30 and 36 h post-injection, respectively. The results of the maturation process suggest that fish with GVM-stage ovaries captured in the daytime from the field are capable of spawning on the night following their capture. The oocytes used in the oocyte size-frequency distribution method for batch fecundity estimates should be at late GVM and more advanced stages. The results of sequential artificial insemination showed that the quality of ovulated eggs held in the ovarian lumen rapidly deteriorated as time progressed after ovulation. This indicates that the fertilization window for the ovulated eggs of chub mackerel lasts only a few hours, and spawning behavior should be performed within a few hours after ovulation in the wild population.     

Induced ovulation using LHRHa in anadromous obscure puffer Takifugu obscurus cultured entirely in freshwater

Puffer fishes of the order Tetradontidae exist in both anadromous and non-anadromous seawater resident forms. The obscure puffer akifugu obscurus is an anadromous species whose intensive culture in freshwater has developed rapidly in China. To mass produce larvae for intensive culture, induction of ovulation of 3-year-old obscure puffer cultured entirely in freshwater was attempted by giving the fish multiple injections of LHRHa. Twenty 3-yearold cultured obscure puffers were treated with multiple injections of LHRHa at a constant dosage of 30 g of LHRHa kg-1 of body weight with 36 h interval between injections. Beginning two days after hormonal treatment, abdominal palpation was performed every day to check expansion and hardening of the abdomen of the fish due to hydration of oocytes that indicates the completion of final oocyte maturation. The first four fish ovulated after the second LHRHa injection on day 3, but most females ovulated after the fourth hormone injection. A total of 18 fish (90%) ovulated over a period of 7 days, while no fish ovulated in the control group. The mean fertilization rate and the mean hatch rate was 67.1% and 87.6%, respectively. The viability of newly hatched larvae was very good, with a high survival rate of 98.6% 24 h post-hatch. These results indicate that cultured obscure puffer, which are not allowed to undergo diadromous migration and are entirely cultured in freshwater, could be induced to complete maturation and ovulate by simple multiple injections of LHRHa and that the eggs could be successfully hatched into viable larvae.     

Serotonin induces ovarian maturation in giant freshwater prawn broodstock, Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man

This study investigated the effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT) on ovarian development in Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man. Adult female prawns at the ovarian stage I (spent) were injected with 5HT at 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 μg g^− 1 body weight (BW) intramuscularly on days 0, 5 and 10, and sacrificed on day 15. The doses as related to the effect could be categorized into three levels: low (1 and 5 μg g^− 1 BW of 5HT), medium (10 and 20 μg g^− 1 BW of 5HT) and high (50 μg g^− 1 BW of 5HT). The low-dose, especially at 1 μg g^− 1 BW, caused prawns to exhibit a significant increase in ovarian index (ovarian weight/body weight × 100) (5.79 ± 0.09%) as compared to the control (1.49%). The ovaries of most of these prawns could develop to stage IV (mature) and contained synchronously mature oocytes while most of the control ovaries remained at stage I and II (proliferative), and contained only oogonia to previtellogenic (Oc1, Oc2) and early vitellogenic oocytes (Oc3). The medium- and high-dose treated prawns exhibited ovaries that could reach stages III and IV and contained various types of oocytes of different maturity. Pretreatment with 5HT receptor antagonist, cyproheptadine (CYP), at 10 μg g^− 1 BW before 5HT injection significantly suppressed the effect of 5HT. Intramuscular injection of the 5HT-primed thoracic ganglion culture medium into CYP-pretreated prawns resulted in the increase of ovarian index about 5–6 times more than in the control, and in the groups injected with 5HT-primed media from muscle strip, eyestalk and brain. The ovaries of most prawn could develop up to stage IV and contained synchronously developed vitellogenic (Oc4) and mature oocytes (Oc5). These findings suggest that 5HT indirectly induces ovarian development and oocytes maturation in M. rosenbergii, probably via a putative ovarian stimulating factor released from the thoracic ganglia.     

Hormonally Induced Spawning, Embryonic Development, and Larval Rearing of the Southern Temperate Banded Morwong, Cheilodactylus spectabilis

Banded morwong (Cheilodactylus spectabilis) are of interest for marine finfish aquaculture in temperate southern Australia. To improve their ovulatory response, adult females were implanted during the autumn spawning season with slow‐release pellets containing 0–400 μg luteinizing‐hormone‐releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa)/kg body weight within 24 h of capture from the wild. Compared to the sham control group, animals treated with LHRHa produced significantly more eggs on each day after implantation for the following 7 d (91 ± 39 and 290 ± 38 mL) and a higher proportion ovulated (8/12 and 27/27). Of fish treated with LHRHa, 93% ovulated 2 d after implantation and 79% ovulated three times at 2‐d intervals, whereas control animals showed no cyclicity of ovulation and few ovulated more than once. Egg production was highest at the first ovulation after LHRHa treatment and declined at subsequent ovulations. In a second experiment investigating the range 100–400 μg LHRHa, there was no effect of dose rate on ovulation parameters, which additionally examined implantation either immediately after capture or after a 5‐d delay. Compared to immediate implantation, a delay resulted in a lower proportion of animals that could be stripped after implantation (100 and 50%, respectively) and the volume of eggs was lower (135 ± 15 and 107 ± 10 mL). The egg quality was poor following delayed implantation, resulting in no fertilization after artificial insemination compared with immediate implantation in which fertilization and hatch rates were higher for eggs collected on Day 2 after implantation (79 ± 8% and 58 ± 9%) than on Day 4 (23 ± 7% and 15 ± 6%). Thus, it is important to implant animals as soon as possible after capture to ensure optimum egg quality. Good‐quality eggs were buoyant and spherical and had a diameter of 1050 ± 25 μm with a single pigmented oil droplet of 190 ± 9 μm. When a separate large batch of eggs collected 2 d after implantation with 100 μg LHRHa was inseminated and cultured at 18 C, larvae hatched after 63 ± 2 h at a standard length of 2.6 ± 0.4 mm. Newly hatched larvae were buoyant and transparent with only a few melanophores, eyes were nonpigmented and jaws were nonfunctional. By the fourth day, jaws were functional and eyes were fully pigmented. Utilization of the endogenous yolk and oil was completed by Day 6, and swimming commenced with exogenous feeding. Larvae, initially fed lipid‐enriched rotifers followed by Artemia, reached 8.9 ± 0.7 mm length on Day 55, after which they metamorphosed to the postlarval paperfish stage of development, 22 ± 0.9 mm on Day 100, and 43 ± 1.0 mm at 6 mo of age. The results show that treatment of wild‐caught females with slow‐release pellets containing LHRHa is effective for the production of eggs for hatchery rearing.     

Reproductive development, GnRHa-induced spawning and egg quality of wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius) acclimatised to captivity

The objective of the study was to acclimatise wild-caught meagre (Argyrosomus regius) to captivity to produce viable eggs for aquaculture production. Twelve meagre (3 males and 9 females, mean weight?=?20?±?7?kg) were caught and transported to a land-based facility on 26 October 2006. During, March to June 2007, all three males were spermiating and five of the nine females were in vitellogenesis with mean maximum oocyte diameter ≥550?μm. No spontaneous spawning was observed. Two hormone treatments, either a single injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa, 20?μg?kg(-1) for females and 10?μg?kg(-1) for males) or a slow-release implant loaded with the same GnRHa (50?μg?kg(-1) for females and 25?μg?kg(-1) for males), were used to induce spawning on three different dates on 26 March 2007, 4 May 2007 and 18 April 2008. From each spawning event, the following parameters were determined: fecundity, number of floating eggs, egg size, fertilisation and hatching success, unfed larval survival, and proximal composition and fatty acid profile of the eggs. In 2007, two females that were injected on 26 March and 4 May spawned a total of 5 times producing 9,019,300 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 198,200 eggs?kg(-1) and two different females that were implanted on the same dates spawned 14 times producing 12,430,000 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 276,200 eggs?kg(-1). In 2008, a pair that was implanted spawned five times producing a total of 10,211,900 floating eggs and a relative fecundity of 527,380 eggs?kg(-1). The latency period was 48-72?h. Parameters were compared between hormone treatments, date of hormone induction and parents determined by microsatellites. Percentage hatch and egg size were 70?±?0.3% and 0.99?±?0.02?mm, respectively, for GnRHa-implanted fish and were significantly higher (P?相似文献   

Induced spawning of maturing milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues administered in various ways

The response of mature female captive milkfish to mammalian and salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (mGnRH-A and sGnRH-A) was investigated. Prior to spawning, six groups of three females received (1) 10–16 μg mGnRH-A from an osmotic pump implanted intraperitoneally (IP); (2) 100 μg mGnRH-A from a cholesterol/cellulose pellet implanted IP; (3) 10 μg/kg mGnRH-A as an intramuscular (IM) injection; (4) 10–16 μg sGnRH-A from an osmotic pump implanted IP; (5) 100 μg sGnRH-A from a cholesterol/cellulose pellet implanted IP, and (6) a cholesterol/cellulose pellet without analogue implanted IP.

The most effective treatment was 100 μg sGnRH-A/fish given in a cholesterol/cellulose pellet; all (3/3) of the fish spawned. However, mGnRH-A was more effective (2/3) compared with sGnRH-A (1/3) if osmotic pumps were used to administer GnRH-A. If the dose and method of administration were not considered, then the salmon and mammalian GnRH analogues were equally effective (62–67%) for induction of ovulation and natural spawning in milkfish. Gonads of control fish regressed.

At the doses tested, injections or pellet implantations were more effective compared with osmotic pumps. All pellet-implanted and injected females responded to treatment and 75% (6/8) spawned; half (3/6) of the pump-implanted females spawned. Spawning occurred from 18 to 36 h after treatment.     

Volitional Spawning of Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata Induced with Pelleted Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone-Analogue

The black sea bass is a high‐value marine serranid and is a prime candidate for intensive cultivation. Reliable methods for controlled spawning are needed to accelerate the development of hatchery technologies that result in mass production of healthy juveniles. During 1998–2001, spawning studies were conducted at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) and at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Charleston, using pelleted luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRH‐a). From April through July 2001, 28 vitellogenic‐stage females, with mean oocyte diameters (MOD) ranging from 277–448 μm, were implanted with a 95% cholesterol‐5% cellulose pellet containing LHRH‐a (‐50 μg/kg body wt) at UNCW. In 10 individual spawning trials, females with MOD of 305–448 μm and maximum oocyte diameter × 475 μm spawned volitionally beginning 2–3 d post‐implantation (PI) and continued spawning over an average of 1.9 d (range = 1–4 d). Individual females released a mean total of 149,000 eggs (117,000 eggs/kg) with a mean buoyancy rate of 40.5% (floaters). Fertilization and hatching rates were 98% and 27.2% of floaters, respectively, yielding 14,600 yolksac larvae/female (12,600 yolksac larvae/kg body wt), and overall egg viability averaged 8.9%. In eight group spawning trials (2–3 females/group), average performance of females, including fecundity (103,800 eggs/female; 105,500 eggs/kg body wt), buoyancy rate (42.5%), fertilization and hatching rates (97.7% and 24.3% of floaters), numbers of yolksac larvae produced (10,900 yolksac larvae/female; 10,100 yolksac larvae/kg body wt), and overall egg viability (10.6%) was comparable to what was seen in individual spawning trials. From 1998–2000, a total of 58 vitellogenic stage (70% of oocytes 500 pm) females were implanted with pelleted LHRH‐a (‐50 μg/kg body wt) in nine group spawning trials (2–19 females/group) at SCDNR. Volitional spawning typically began 18–42 h PI and recurred every 1–3 d for an average duration of 9 d. Female groups released a mean of 560,000 eggs (84,000/female; 132,000/kg body wt) over the spawning period, with mean buoyancy rate of 25.7% floaters. Fertilization and hatching rates were 17.7% and 11.6 % of floaters, respectively, yielding 4,300 yolksac larvae/female (4,600 yolksac larvae/kg body wt). Overall egg viability was 2.9%. Captive wild‐caught black sea bass were induced to undergo repetitive volitional spawning by implantation of pelleted‐LHRH‐a, consistent with a multiple clutch group synchronous pattern of ovarian development. Group spawning appears to be a practical way to compensate for variable fecundity and egg viability of individual females. Research is needed to identify optimum hormone treatments and eligibility requirements.     

Induced Spawning of Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus

Nassau grouper Epinephelus striurus females ovulated 48–51 h after the first of two intramuscular injections of human chorionic gonadotropin given 24 h apart (usually 0.7 IU/gram body weight). Typical spawns contained 400,000–600,000 eggs. With fresh milt and clean water, fertilization rate was 85 and 86%. Survival from fertilization to first feeding for six spawns was 73–94%.     

Multiple GnRHa injections to induce successful spawning of wild caught greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) matured in captivity

Reliable reproduction and sufficient amounts of juveniles obtained in captivity constitute a main bottleneck for mass production of greater amberjack. The aim of the present study was to combine several aspects of broodstock management and hormonal induction, to obtain a large number of high quality spawns. Captured Seriola dumerili sub‐adults were kept for three years in 10 m³ tanks. When fish were larger than 75 cm, they were individually tagged, periodically explored to determine gonad maturation and injected with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue from June to October. A total of 15 inductions to four males and two females produced 330 821 ± 219 519 eggs/induction and a total of 22 spawns. The number of spawns and female fecundity (2.48 millions eggs/female/spawning season) were similar to those of free wild populations and higher than those previously obtained in captivity for this species. Egg quality increased from an initial low in the first two spawns in June to give, during July to October, a mean of 96.01 ± 6.50% fertilized eggs, 92.58 ± 17.56% hatched eggs, 78.66 ± 12.60% larval survival at day 3 after. These results showed that intramuscular injections of 20 μg kg^?1 body weight GnRHa under natural temperature and photoperiod conditions in the Canary Islands produced a high induction efficiency.     

A comparison of human chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue for ovulation induction in black sea bass Centropristis striata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Mature black sea bass, Centropristis striata L. (200–800 g), were captured in coastal South Carolina during the spawning season and administered hormones for ovulation induction and strip spawning. During both study years, control groups of females were incorporated into the study design and administered sham injections containing physiological saline solution. In 2004, females received a single intramuscular injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (330 IU kg⁻¹) (n=8) or two injections of hCG at 24‐h intervals (n=8). In 2005, females received a single injection of hCG (n=10) or an analogue of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRHa) (n=10). In 2004, all fish administered a single dose of hCG ovulated at least once. Six fish ovulated on two consecutive days and one fish ovulated on 3 days consecutively. In contrast, six of eight fish receiving two doses of hCG ovulated once, five ovulated on 2 days successively and three fish ovulated 3 days in succession. Of the fish that spawned, no differences were found in any reproductive parameters. In 2005, all fish administered hCG or LHRHa ovulated at least once. Three fish administered hCG ovulated twice, four fish ovulated on three consecutive days and one fish 4 days successively. All fish administered LHRHa spawned at least twice, six fish ovulated thrice and three fish ovulated 4 days, successively. A significant difference in fertility was found between hCG (75.6±11.4%) and LHRHa (55.6±27.4%). The results of this study indicate that both hCG and LHRHa are effective for ovulation induction in prespawning black sea bass.     

Hormone-induced spawning of the Australian freshwater fish Murray cod, Maccullochella peeli (Mitchell) (Percichthyidae)

Murray cod, Maccullochella peeli, originally captured from the wild, underwent normal gonadal development in earthen ponds. Handling of broodfish in the 3 months before a breeding season caused atresia and resorption of oocytes in most females. Cod were removed from the ponds when the water temperature reached 20°C during spring, and final oocyte maturation and ovulation were induced in mature females by injecting 1000 or 2000 IU/kg human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) or 2–5 mg/kg of a preparation of the pituitary gland from common carp (CPG). Control treatments and dosages of 100–750 IU/kg HCG did not induce ovulation. Broodfish were held at 21 ± 1°C in 2000-l tanks after injection. The time of stripping and fertilization of Murray cod eggs was an important factor determining their hatchability. There was generally high post-fertilization mortality of eggs stripped within 1 h or between 4 and 6 h of ovulation, but high hatchability of eggs stripped 2–3 h after ovulation. The mean hatchability of eggs stripped 48.5–49.5 h after the injection of 1000 IU/kg HCG was 79.8%, but there were significantly lower mean hatchabilities of eggs stripped after 46–48 h and 50–52 h, as well as after the injection of 2000 IU/kg HCG. Results using CPG were variable. Possible reasons for the high post-fertilization mortality of Murray cod eggs are discussed, and techniques for broodfish handling, injection, stripping and the fertilization and incubation of eggs are presented.     

LHRHa‐induced ovulation of the endangered‐Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) and its effect on egg quality and two sex steroids: testosterone and 17α‐hydroxyprogestrone

To induce synchronized ovulation, migrating wild Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) females were treated with two interperitoneal injections of Des‐Gly¹⁰, d ‐Ala⁶ LHRH (LHRHa), given 3 days apart. Two injections of 100 μg kg^?1 body weight of this hormone effectively induced ovulation. Within 27 days from the second injection, all fish injected with 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa had ovulated compared with 54.5% of the controls. The mean time to ovulation was reduced significantly (P<0.05) from 31.67±4.84 days in control fish and 28.83±7.31 days in sham‐treated fish to 16.36±1.61 days in fish injected with 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa. The fertilization rate in 50 and 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa‐injected fish was significantly lower than that in the control fish (P<0.05). In fish injected with 50 and 100 μg kg^?1 LHRHa, significant (P<0.05) changes in testosterone (T) and 17α‐hydroxyprogestrone (OHP) levels were observed. After the second LHRHa injection, the fish injected with 100 μg kg^?1 showed the highest serum levels of testosterone and OHP. These results demonstrate that the use of LHRHa can effectively reduce the mean time to ovulation and induce synchronized ovulation in Caspian brown trout.     

Application of controlled-release,GnRHa-delivery systems in commercial production of white bass X striped bass hybrids (sunshine bass), using captive broodstocks

Hatchery-produced white bass (Morone chrysops) and striped bass (M. saxatilis) reared to maturity in a commercial aquaculture facility, were successfully spawned using controlled-release delivery systems containing the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog DAla⁶, Pro⁹[NEt]-GnRH (GnRHa). Two-year-old white bass females (mean weight, 0.81 kg) were implanted with different polymer-based, GnRHa delivery systems at doses ranging from 40 to 89 μg GnRHa kg⁻¹ body weight. GnRHa treatment on 20 February 1994, when females contained oocytes up to 720 μm in diameter, induced ovulation of all fish between 35 to 82 h after treatment. The white bass eggs produced were fertilized with sperm from striped bass for the production of sunshine bass. An average of 294500 eggs kg⁻¹ were produced, with a mean fertility of 81.2%, 24 h survival of 46.5%, and overall hatching success of 45%. Survival from hatch to 30 days post-hatch was 78% and the fry weighed between 0.07 and 0.1 g. Overripening of eggs began within 1 h from ovulation and maximum fertilization (60%) was observed when eggs were stripped 0.5 h after ovulation. Fertilization success decreased thereafter to 31% and 10% by 1 h and 3 h after ovulation, respectively. Control fish not treated with GnRHa did not show any signs of final oocyte maturation during the period of the study. GnRHa administration via controlled-release delivery systems appears to be a very effective method for inducing high fecundity ovulation of captive white bass broodstocks, and producing eggs of high fertility and hatching success.     

Changes of plasma steroid concentrations associated with spontaneous or induced ovulation in yellow perch Perca flavescens

This study examined the changes in plasma steroids during natural (Experiment 1) and induced (Experiment 2) final maturation in yellow perch Perca flavescens. In experiment 1, ovulating yellow perch were stripped of eggs and blood samples collected to determine the concentrations of testosterone (T), estradiol-17β (E2), and 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20βP). Eggs from individual females were weighed and fertilized. Fertilization rate was determined at the embryo eyed stage. In experiment 2, females were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) saline (0.7% NaCl), (2) des-Gly¹⁰[D-Ala⁶] LHRH-ethylamide (100 μg LHRHa/kg), and (3) LHRHa plus 17,20βP (100 μg LHRHa/kg + 2 mg 17,20βP/kg). Fish were injected intraperitoneally with two doses at a two-day interval. Blood was collected prior to injections and at the time of ovulation/spawning and concentrations of T, E2, and 17,20βP (free and conjugated) were determined. In experiment 1, low concentrations of 17,20βP were recorded at spawning. In experiment 2, all surviving fish injected with LHRHa (5 of 5) released their eggs spontaneously during the week following injections. None of the surviving control fish (0 of 5) ovulated during this period, whereas only 1 of 3 surviving fish injected with LHRHa + 17,20βP released eggs. In the control group, concentrations of E2 and 17,20βP did not show significant differences over the experimental period, whereas plasma T concentrations increased significantly. In fish injected with LHRHa, the concentrations of T and 17,20βP increased significantly after the first injection but then declined at ovulation/spawning. It also appears that 17,20βP was conjugated to its sulfated form. Mortality reached 62.5% in the group injected with LHRHa + 17,20βP indicating that this treatment was severe. Thus, LHRHa alone appears highly effective in inducing ovulation in yellow perch. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of silvering state on induced maturation and spawning in wild female Japanese eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The effects of silvering state of wild female Japanese eels Anguilla japonica on the success of induced maturation and the following spawning were examined. Thirty-eight females, collected in Mikawa Bay, were divided into four stages based on their silvering state: yellow (Y1), late-yellow (Y2), silver (S1) and late silver eels (S2). Despite injections of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) through the standard technique, Y1 and Y2 eels did not respond to the treatment with undeveloped gonad (gonad-somatic index [GSI]: 0.3–0.9), and all these females died by 5 weeks, probably due to an abnormal physiological condition. Most S1 (81%) and S2 eels (100%) matured completely (GSI: 17.8–51.4), and finally spawned successfully (69% for S1, 89% for S2). S2 eels fully matured with oocytes of over 750 μm in diameter by significantly smaller number of injections of SPE (5–6 times) than the case of S1 eels (6–8 times). The amount of eggs released by S2 eels (0.65 ± 0.11 g/fish per body weight [BW]) was significantly larger than those by S1 eels (0.54 ± 0.09 g/fish per BW). There was no difference in fertilization and hatching rates between eggs released by S1 eels and those of S2 eels. These results indicate that the success of induced maturation and spawning in wild female Japanese eels depends on their silvering state, and matured eggs can be obtained efficiently through the use of S2 eels rather than other stages.     

Out-of-season spawning of cultured pikeperch [Sander lucioperca (L.)]

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of out‐of‐season spawning of cultivated pikeperch (fish that were reared from the larval stage in re‐circulating systems and fed commercial feed exclusively) stimulated hormonally with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The impact of fish age (2+ and 3+) and hormone dosage [200 or 400 IU hCG kg⁻¹ body weight (BW)] on spawning was analysed and expressed as the share of stripped females, commercial fecundity (% BW) and survival of embryos until the eyed‐egg stage (EES index). The possibility of utilizing changes in female pikeperch body weight (CBW index) that are observed following hormone injections as an additional indicator for determining maturity was also investigated. The age and hormone dosage were not noted to have a significant impact on the number of stripped females (≥80% on all groups), the latency period (90–100 h), commercial fecundity (11.3–13.3% BW) or the values of the EES index (61–73%; P>0.05). The mean value of EES from the 3+ age group females was higher than that in the 2+ females, and the interaction between the tested factors (fish age and hormone dosage) wasstatistically significant (P<0.05). In the fish from the control group (injected with a 0.9% NaCl solution), no progress was noted in the maturation of oocytes and no eggs were obtained from any female. It was noted that these females lost BW over the course of the subsequent 24 h of the measurements (P<0.05). In the groups of females that were stimulated hormonally, the opposite phenomenon was observed; in these groups, the CBW index increased significantly between 48 and 96 h following hormone injection. The value of the CBW index was not noted to have been statistically significantly determined by either hormone dose or fish age (P>0.05). The regression equations that described the dependence between CBW and the oocyte maturity stage were highly significant statistically, and the determination coefficient R² assumed a value of 0.76. The most significant increase in BW was related to the oocytes achieving maturity stage III. The BW of pikeperch females with oocytes in this stage was 103% higher than the initial BW. This might be a valuable and useful tool for determining maturity in females of this fish species.     

Dietary administration of an LHRH analogue induces spawning of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)

The effects of a single oral administration of des-Gly¹⁰-[D-Ala⁶]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (1–9)-ethylamide (LHRHa) in the diet (0.2–2.5 mg/kg body weight) on ovulation and spawning of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) were examined. Oral administration of 1.0–2.5 mg LHRHa/kg to females in four separate experiments resulted in successful spawning 32–38 h later with mean fertilization and hatching success rates of 93.3% and 74.6%, respectively. A lower dose of LHRHa (0.2 mg/kg) was ineffective in two subsequent experiments. The data suggest that oral administration of 1 mg LHRHa/kg is a reliable method of inducing ovulation in spotted seatrout, resulting in predictable spawning within 38 h of feeding. This noninvasive treatment may be particularly useful for induced spawning of teleosts which are susceptible to handling stress.     

Induced Final Maturation and Spawning of the Marbled Grouper Epinephelus microdon Captured from Spawning Aggregations in the Republic of Palau, Micronesia

A high percentage (98.3%, N = 60) of the marbled grouper Epinephelus microdon individuals captured from spawning aggregations during July and August 1993 in the waters surrounding the island of Koror, Republic of Palau, Micronesia, were in the stage of maturity at which final maturation and spawning could be hormonally induced. The sex ratio of the captured fish was highly skewed towards males (4 male:1 female). Sexually immature females comprised the smallest size class, (<0.6 kg body weight (BW) or 33.0 cm total length (TL)), while sexually mature females were restricted to the 0.6–1.5 kg BW (33.0–46.4 cm TL) groups. Males predominated in size classes >0.6 kg BW, and individuals >1.5 kg BW (46.4 cm TL) were exclusively male. All females with oocytes that averaged ( N = 50) >400 μm in diameter were successfully induced to spawn by a two-injection protocol using human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at total dosages of 2,100–3,200 IU/kg fish. All males used in the spawning trials were administered a single injection of HCG at dosages of 500 or 1,000 IU/kg fish. Fecundity ranged between 7.96 × 10⁵−1.24 × 10⁶kg BW, average spawned egg diameters ranged between 769–832 μm, percent fertilization ranged between 32.6%–99.9%, and hatching percentages were >90.0%. Total fat content of eggs obtained from a pooled spawning event was 14.1 mg/100 mg dry weight. The data indicate that HCG is a suitable treatment for the induction of spawning in marbled grouper females that possess a mean oocyte diameter of 400 μm or greater.