Use of Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Pituitary as a Spawning Aid: Influence of Seasons and Preparations on Efficacy

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, pituitary powder (CP) was prepared and administered to determine the effect of pituitary preparation, head selection criteria, and season of collection on the biological potency of this gonadotropic preparation. Pituitaries were harvested from three catfish processing plants throughout the months of December, February, March, and April to investigate the effect of season on CP potency. Gravid female channel catfish were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with priming (2 mg/kg) and resolving doses (8 mg/kg) of CP treatments, luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analog (LHRHa), or saline. Pharmaceutical grade Carbopol 971P resin (CAR) was tested as a 1% aqueous dispersion in physiological saline and administered with CP (10 mg/kg) as a IP single injection at a final volume of 2 mL per kg as a slow‐release vehicle. Individual females were hand‐stripped, and eggs were fertilized with freshly harvested blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, spermatozoa. Pituitaries processed with either acetone or ethanol/acetone resulted in significantly different ovulation rates of 35 and 73%, respectively (P≤ 0.01). Ovulation success was not significantly different among CP and LHRHa treatment groups. Ovulation rates were not significantly different among treatment groups of CP collected in April (74%) or December (67%), or collected from male (69%), or small individuals (55%). The shortest latency period among CP treatment was from CP collected in December and from males at 39.1 ± 0.7 and 38.5 ± 0.4 h, respectively. The CAR vehicle treatment performed poorly resulting in an average ovulation rate of 19.0%, with 3.3% viable embryos at 36 h post‐fertilization. Pituitaries collected from channel catfish potentially represent a viable spawning aid for the production of hybrid channel × blue catfish.     

The Influence of Ovarian Fluid pH of Stripped Unfertilized Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Eggs on the Hatching Success of Channel Catfish ♀ x Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus♂, Hybrid Catfish Eggs

This study was designed to determine the effect of ovarian fluid pH of stripped unfertilized channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, eggs on fertilization and hatch rate of channel catfish ♀ x blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus♂, hybrid catfish eggs. A significant correlation was established between ovarian fluid pH of stripped channel catfish eggs and hybrid embryo hatch rate (R² = 0.75, P = 0.01), suggesting ovarian fluid pH of stripped catfish eggs prior to fertilization can be predictive of the hatching success of hybrid catfish embryos. These data were used to categorize pH of stripped eggs: pH <7.0 as “low pH eggs,” pH 7.0–7.4 as “medium pH eggs,” or pH >7.4 as “high pH eggs” quality eggs. The range in percent hatch rate for these pH categories was <15%, 15–30%, and >30%, respectively. Higher calcium concentrations during incubation do not appear to improve hatching success of “low pH eggs.” The predictive model presented herein describes a quick method for evaluating stripped catfish eggs for hybrid fry production in catfish hatcheries.     

Inducing oocyte maturation, ovulation and spawning in the African catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis Valenciennes (Pisces: Clariidae), using frog pituitary extract

Abstract. Oocyte maturation, ovulation and spawning were successfully achieved in the African catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis Valenciennes, using frog pituitary extract. During artificial spawning, oocyte maturation and ovulation were induced at a dosage of 7mg per kg of individual fish weight. Latency period varied from 7 h at 29°C to 11 h at 25°C. Dead eggs became opaque between 8 and 10h after fertilization while embryogenesis was found to be temperature dependent. Mean hatching and larval deformity rates were 63·08%± 7·56 and 8·08%± 1·93 respectively. During induced natural spawning, the extract was applied at a dosage of 35 mg per kg of female fish weight. Spawning occurred between 10 and 11 h after hypophysation. Mean hatching and larval deformity rates were 41·38%± 8·48 and 10·00%± 2·00 respectively.     

Hormones and Egg/Larval Quality in Fish

Recent evidence suggests that hormones are passed on to eggs by broodfish. This store of maternal hormones may fill the regulatory needs of fish larvae for growth, development, osmoregulation, stress response and other physiological functions prior to the functional development of their own endocrine glands. Thus the hormonal levels in eggs/larvae may be an important determinant of egg/larval quality.
Thyroid hormones have been best studied in this regard. Both thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) are present in fish eggs and in most cases, the levels decrease as development proceeds until the onset of endogenous thyroid hormone production, which usually occurs before or at around yolk-sac resorption. Enhancement of T₄/T₃ levels in newly-hatched larvae through immersion or maternal injection has been shown to promote larval growth, development and/or survival in several fish species, although overdose causes thyrotoxicosis.
Other hormones such as corticosteroids, sex steroids, growth hormone and prolactin are also being studied, but to a much lesser extent.
The paper reviews the evidence and discusses the practical implications of the various findings for larval rearing in aquaculture.     

Improved Seed Production of Goldstriped Amberjack Seriola lalandi under Hatchery Conditions by Injection of Triiodothyronine (T3) to Broodstock Fish

Survival of the seed of goldstriped amberjack Seriola lalandi was consistently enhanced by intramuscular injection of triiodothyronine (T₃) to the broodstock fish at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. Survival rates at the time of transfer to net cages (35 d after hatching) were 2.6–5.0% for the T₃ treatment while only 0.3–2.1% for the control. Survival rates 36 mo after hatching was estimated to be 12 times higher in the T₃-treated group (1.1%) than in the control (0.09%). T₃ concentration in newly spawned eggs increased from control levels of 0.3–1.0 ng/g to 68–127 ng/g 2 d after injection and subsided with successive spawns. T₃ concentration in the treated larvae was about 360 times higher than in the control upon hatching (29 np/p vs 0.08 ng/g), but became indistinguishable from the control 6 d after hatching. These results indicate injection of T₃ to the broodstock of S. lalndi to be of practical value in aquaculture of the species.     

Effects of Calcium and Magnesium Hardness of Incubation Waters on the Hatching Success of Hybrid Eggs of ♀ Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus

Hatching efficiency is generally lower in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, hybrid catfish hatcheries compared to hatcheries hatching pond‐spawned channel catfish eggs. Egg quality and hatching water hardness are known variables influencing the efficiency of hybrid catfish fry production in hatcheries. Previous research recommended that at least 60 mg/L hardness had to be contributed only by calcium to optimize the hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. However, whether the effect of waterborne magnesium in hatching waters facilitates or impedes the hatching success of hybrid catfish is not known. Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of calcium alone or magnesium hardness, in combination with the hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. Trial 1 showed that if the previously identified minimum hardness criterion of 60 mg/L was met by calcium in the hatching waters, added magnesium had no effect on the hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. Trial 2 showed that the previously identified minimum hardness of 60 mg/L can be met by either calcium alone or magnesium replacing up to 50% of the total hardness in the hatchery waters for optimal hatching success of hybrid catfish eggs. Calcium provides a specific requirement during embryonic development of catfish. The results from this study can be used to design treatment processes for hatchery water supplies to improve efficiency of hybrid catfish fry production in hatcheries.     

Induced Ovulation and Spawning in the Catfish,Clarias isheriensis,Using Pituitary Extracts from Non-piscine Sources

Acetone-dried pituitary extracts obtained from non-piscine sources- the common toad, Bufo regularis; the African bullfrog, Rana adspersa; and chicken, Gallus domesticus, were evaluated as alternative inducement agents to piscine-sourced pituitary extracts to spawn Clarias isheriensis. A single dose of 4 mg of dry pituitary extract per kilogram of female was injected intraperitoneally, and it induced ovulation and spawning in all treatments; there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in percent fertilization of eggs. All pituitary extracts were effective in inducing ovulation and spawning in C. isheriensis and, therefore, can be used as alternative sources of pituitary hormones.     

Effects of Environmental Sodium Chloride on Percent Hatch, Yolk Utilization, and Survival of Channel Catfish Fry

Abstract.— Only limited research has addressed the effect of salinity on hatching of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus eggs, and no studies have evaluated the effect of salinity on fry development and survival. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of environmental sodium chloride (0, 1, 2, and 4 g/L. NaCl) on percent hatch, yolk utilization, and survival of channel catfish fry. Experiments were conducted in recirculating systems using seven egg masses (1–2 d old). Each egg mass was divided into smaller portions which remained undissociated or were dissociated with sodium sulfite (NaSO₃). Eggs were incubated until hatching. Wet and dry weights were obtained for sacfry at 1 and 5 d post-hatch to determine wet weight gain and dry weight loss, and fry were sampled 7 d after initiation of exogenous feeding to determine survival. Percent hatch, yolk utilization, and survival of fry hatched from undissociated eggs were greatest at 1 g/L NaCl. In addition, treatment of eggs with NaSO₃ significantly reduced percent hatch at all NaCl levels. Although our results indicate that addition of NaCI to hatchery water supplies can increase production of channel catfish fry, additional research is needed before this practice can be recommended on a commercial basis.     

Artificial Spawning of African Catfish,Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

The effects of controlled reproduction of African catfish, Clarias gariepinuswere investigated in an experiment with carp pituitary (at the dose 4 mg/kg body weight) or Ovopel (1 pellet/kg body weight) used as ovulation stimulators. The application of the synthetic stimulator led to the significantly (P≤0.01) greater weight of eggs (expressed in grams and as percentage of female body weight) and to the significantly (P≤0.05) higher quality of eggs after 24-hour incubation as compared with the hypophysation effects. Two categories of females were used in the experiment, i.e., light (mean body weight of 3.75 kg) and heavy (mean body weight of 8.86 kg) fish. The results show that a significantly (P≤0.01) greater weight of eggs (expressed in grams) was obtained from heavier females. The quality of eggs expressed as the percentage of live embryos after 12- and 24-hour incubation was significantly (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05, respectively) higher for lighter females. The higher weight of obtained eggs and their better quality after Ovopel stimulation compared to the weight and quality of eggs obtained after hypophysation allow for the recommendation of this ovulation stimulator for the fish species investigated.     

An Evaluation of a Leuteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Analog to Induce Spawning of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

The leuteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analog, DAla⁶DesGly¹⁰ LH-RH-ethyl amide, delivered by intraperitoneal or intracranial injection was an effective agent for the induced spawning of channel catfish ( Icrulurus punctatus ) held in aquaria. A daily dose of 100 μg LH-RH analog (LH-RHa) per kg fish body weight was recommended as the dosage schedule of choice, but daily doses as low as 1 cg LH-RHa per kg fish body weight induced spawning of channel catfish. LH-RHa was as good or better than human chorionic gonadotropin or carp pituitary to induce spawning of channel catfish in aquaria. Sham-injected (control) channel caffish spawned in this study contradicting observations in earlier studies.     

Induced breeding of the sabalo,Prochilodus platensis Holmberg

Maturation and ovulation were induced in female Prochilodus platensis with multiple homologous pituitary extract injections (total dose 0.9 to 1.4 hypophysis/kg) or single injections of pituitary extract combined with human chorionic gonadotrophin ((1 hypophysis + 500 I.U.)/kg). One of the females given the latter treatment produced viable eggs. Latency time from injection to ovulation was 9 h (at 28°C). Hatching occurred 12 h after fertilization. Survival after 30 days of rearing was 96%.     

Suspending Mammalian LHRHa‐injected Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,in Individual Soft Mesh Bags Reduces Stress and Improves Reproductive Performance

Hormone‐induced spawning of channel catfish held communally in tanks is a reliable method to produce channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus ♀ × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus ♂, F₁ hybrid catfish fry. However, mature catfish are crowded, and repeatedly handled during the process of induced ovulation. Repeated handling of gravid females is stressful and may impair ovulation, egg quality, and reproductive performance. Three trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of two methods of confining post‐hormone‐injected female channel catfish on stress response (cortisol concentrations) and reproductive performance: fish were either held individually while suspended in soft, nylon‐mesh bags or communally in a concrete tank. Percent of females ovulated to hormone treatment, relative fecundity, percent egg viability, and latency of channel catfish did not differ for fish in the two treatments. However, percent hatch and fry/kg of females was higher (P < 0.05) for fish held in bags that for fish held communally in tanks. Mean plasma cortisol response immediately prior to the first hormone injection (0 h) did not differ among fish groups in the two treatments. However, mean plasma cortisol concentrations were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for fish in the bag treatment at 16 and 36 h compared to fish held communally in tanks. Plasma estradiol levels (measure of oocyte maturation) were assessed at 0, 16, and 36 h after hormone injection; concentrations were (P < 0.05) higher at 16 h compared to 0 and 36 h; however, estradiol concentrations did not differ for fish held in the two treatments (P > 0.05). Suspending hormone‐injected broodfish individually in soft bags reduced stress response, improved egg hatching rate, and increased hybrid fry produced per kg weight of female broodfish. Using this simple technology, farmers can improve the efficiency of hatcheries producing hybrid catfish fry.     

Growth, Maturation, Induced Spawning, and Production of the First Generation of South American Catfish, Pseudoplatystoma sp., in North America

Growth, plasma steroids, and the appearance of gonads (histology and gonadosomatic index) were followed in South American catfish (surubim, Pseudoplatystoma sp.) raised in captivity in the aquaculture facility at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA, from 2003 until 2006. Broodstock growth showed a great individual variation and it did not seem sex dependent. The levels of 11‐ketotestosterone were high in males during the reproductive season. Three out of six females spawned after receiving two doses of carp pituitary extract (0.5 and 5 mg/kg) at 11‐h intervals. Fertilization was performed in only one female in February 2006. Egg size was 0.73 ± 0.06 mm in diameter at stripping. Two males released sperm, and it was used for fertilization. Sperm concentrations were 24 × 10⁹ and 15.5 × 10⁹ spermatozoa/mL in Male 1 and Male 2, respectively, and viability was confirmed after activation in 0.3% NaCl. Embryo survival at 9 h after fertilization was 44 and 23% for Male 1 and Male 2, respectively. Embryos hatched 15 h after fertilization. Larvae were 3.53 ± 0.09 mm in length at hatching and were successfully raised (72% survival after 2 wks) using live brine shrimp nauplii.     

Observations on induced breeding of the Amazonian fish tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) using CPE and HCG treatments

Trials on induced breeding of the native Amazonian fish tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier), using CPE and HCG treatments, were carried out during 1992-93 at the Fish Culture Station in Natal, Brazil. Final maturation, ovulation and spermiation of tambaqui broodstock, reared in earthen ponds, were induced by injecting heteroplastic carp pituitary gland extracts (CPE) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) separately. The female spawners received double injections and the males received a single dose. Females were tranquillized using quinaldine and their genital openings were sutured before the resolving injection was administered. Latent period between the resolving injection and ovulation varied from 6 to 11 h according to the prevailing water temperature. Milt was obtained by extrusion. Stripping and dry fertilization of the eggs produced viable larvae. Relative fecundity was estimated at 140 000 eggs kg^-1. Mean fertilization and hatching rates varied from 50% to 70% and from 60% to 80%, respectively.     

Ovulation inducement in prespawning adult Danube salmon (Hucho hucho, L.) by injection of acetone-dried carp pituitary (cP)

In order to obtain simultaneous ovulation of all Danube salmon females within a hatching stock, i.e. of those fish kept in hatchery ponds for several years as well as of those recently collected in rivers, injection of carp pituitary (cP) was attempted. Total doses of 4 mg cP/kg body weight administered in a single application induced ovulation after 98 to 210 h. Application of two subsequent doses (a pre-injection of 10% followed by a post-injection of 90% after 12 h) resulted in a better synchronized ovulation 142 to 162 h after the first injection. Further consequences of injecting two seperate cP doses were easier egg stripping, higher fertilization rates of the eggs and lower mortality during embryonic development. The possibility of a general application of cP for artificial breeding of Danube salmon is discussed.     

Production and Processing Trait Comparisons of Channel Catfish,Blue Catfish,and Their Hybrids Grown in Earthen Ponds

Fingerling HS‐5 channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, NWAC 103 channel catfish, D&B blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, HS‐5 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F₁ hybrids, and NWAC 103 female channel × D&B male blue catfish F₁ hybrids were stocked into twenty‐five 0.04‐ha earthen ponds at 12,500 fish/ha and grown for 277 d. Fish were fed daily at rates from 1.0 to 3.0% biomass based on feeding activity and temperature and adjusted weekly assuming a feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and 100% survival. At harvest, 40 fish from each pond were sampled, and all other counted and weighed. Mean survival, growth rate indexes (a), FCR, and skin‐on fillet percentages were not significantly different. Mean harvest weights and net production were higher for HS‐5 channel and its hybrid than for the NWAC 103 channel, NWAC 103 hybrid, and D&B blue catfish, partially because of their larger mean stocking weights. D&B blue catfish was more uniform in size than NWAC 103 channel and NWAC 103 hybrid. D&B blue catfish was the easiest to seine. HS‐5 hybrids and NWAC 103 hybrids had lower mean head percentage and a better processing yield than their parent channel catfish.     

A new tool for induced spawning: The use of 17α-hydroxy-20β-dihydroprogesterone to spawn carp at low temperature

The efficiency of different hormonal treatments to induce ovulation of carp at low temperatures (13–15°C) was tested. “Priming” with a low dose (0.6 mg/kg) of carp pituitary extract was found necessary for a subsequent successful treatment with 17α-hydroxy-20β-dihydroprogesterone (17α-20β P) (2 mg/kg) 1 day later. The eggs produced by this method showed satisfactory fertilization (75–96%) and hatching success (70%).On the other hand, normal hypophysation (5.4 mg/kg) following priming resulted only in partial ovulation and oocyte resorption at this temperature.Priming was shown to increase the gonadotropin level in plasma from about 2 to 35 ng/ml and to induce germinal vesicle migration toward the periphery of oocytes. Neither 17α-20β P nor desoxycorticosterone alone or in association gave any positive result in the absence of a preliminary priming.     

Effects of Yucca shidigera Extract on Growth, Nitrogen Retention, Ammonia Excretion, and Toxicity in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Hybrid Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus

Nitrogenous waste control in aquaculture systems is necessary to maintain healthy animals and to meet effluent standards. Decreased ammonia production has been attained in traditional livestock production systems by adding extracts of Yucca shidigera to the feed or storage lagoon system. An extract of Yucca shidigera was fed to post yolk-sac and juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and hybrid tilapia Oreochrornis mossambicus × O. niloticus to determine the effects on growth, nitrogen retention, ammonia excretion, and toxicity. Post yolk-sac channel catfish fry fed the 1.0-g yucca extract/kg as an agar coating were the only group of experimental organisms that had significantly greater weight gains compared to the control and 0.5-g yucca extract/kg diet groups after 12 wk. Significantly lower fecal nitrogen concentrations were obtained from catfish fed diets containing yucca extract compared to the control groups, although no differences between fecal nitrogen concentrations for catfish fed diets with either 0.5-g or 1.0-g yucca extract/kg diet occurred. Ammonia excretion rates were significantly lower for catfish fed diets containing yucca extract compared to the control group. Accordingly, fish fed diets containing the yucca extract had significantly greater whole-body protein composition, while lipid levels were significantly lower. No significant differences in proximate composition occurred for fish fed any of the diets containing yucca extract, though growth rates were significantly higher than the controls. This study demonstrated that a yucca extract can be used in the diet of channel catfish, and increased growth and decreased ammonia concentrations can be obtained in rearing systems.     

Controlled reproduction in Anguilla anguilla (L.): comparison between spontaneous spawning and stripping‐insemination approaches

This study aimed to compare the fertility of eggs between artificially matured female silver eels that spawned spontaneously and those that were spawned by manual stripping. The effects of the two methods of spawning on ovulation and fertilization rate were also investigated. For this purpose, 18 wild female European eels captured in Bonello lagoon (North Adriatic Sea) were carp pituitary extract‐injected to undergo sexual maturation and ovulation; a final injection of 17,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (DHP) was administered when at least 30% of the oocytes were fully transparent. After the DHP‐injection, nine eels were transferred to a new closed recirculating aquaculture system, where they were housed with spermiating males (sex ratio 4/1) to allow spontaneous spawning (SPT‐group); the remaining nine eels were transferred to a 250 L tank and ovulation was checked at four‐hourly intervals by manual stripping (STR‐group). The number of eggs per female in the SPT‐group was significantly greater than that in the STR‐group. Furthermore, fertilization rates in the SPT‐group were notably higher than those observed in the STR‐group. Significantly, the best performances were obtained among eels in which at least 50% of oocytes were fully transparent at the time DHP was administered. We conclude that the fertility of eggs from spontaneously spawning eels is superior to that of eggs acquired by strip‐spawning and artificial fertilization.     

The Use of Formalin and Iodine to Control Saprolegnia Infections on Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Eggs

Formalin administered twice daily as a flush at concentrations of 100, 200, or 400 mg/L increased percent hatch of channel catfish, "Ictalurus punctatus," eggs relative to non-treated eggs (P < 0.05). Formalin at 400 mg/L was most effective in controling "Saprolegnia" sp. infections, and the resultant percent hatch was 93.7%. Iodine administered twice daily as a flush at concentrations of 50, 100, or 200 mg/L increased the hatching rate of channel catfish eggs relative to non-treated eggs (P < 0.05). Iodine at 200 mg/L increased percent hatch by 28% over that of the controls. "Saprolegnia" sp. infections were apparent on eggs exposed to all levels of iodine. Formalin was more effective in controlling "Saprolegnia" than iodine and consideration should be given to extending its label to include the treatment of channel catfish eggs.