Growth and Bone Development in Channel Catfish Fed 17-α-Methyltestosterone in Production Ponds

Effects of feeding 17-α-methyltestosterone (MT) to channel catfish ( Icralurus punctatus ) grown to harvestable size in earthen ponds were examined. Channel catfish fingerlings (mean weight, 14.4 g), stocked in 0.04 ha ponds (7,410 fish/ha) were fed diets containing MT at concentrations of 0, 2.5, and 10 mg/kg for 123 days. Weight gain by fish fed the control diet (0 MT) was higher ( P < 0.05) than that of fish fed the treated diets. Increasing the dietary concentration of MT reduced weight gain further ( P < 0.05). Both male and female fish fed MT had enlarged and thickened heads, and their skins were dark. Their dorsal and pectoral spines were short and the tips, which are normally very sharp, were soft and blunt. Weight of the rib bones per unit of length decreased ( P < 0.05) as MT was added to the diet. Breaking strength of the ribs (force required to break the bone at its midpoint) measured by an Instron shear press, was less ( P < 0.05) for fish fed MT than for control fish. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in bones was lower ( P < 0.05) in fish fed MT. These results indicate that feeding MT at these doses (2.5 mg/kg or above) to channel catfish suppresses growth rate and reduces size and strength of bones.     

Effect of 17α-Methyltestosterone and 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone on the Quality of White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Spermatophores

Abstract.— Controlled reproduction of penaeid shrimp requires a better utilization of males by sperm quality monitoring and sperm quality improvement. Spermatophores of white shrimp Penaeus vannamei were improved, in terms of increased sperm count, spermatophore weight, and a reduced incidence of sperm abnormalities by a single injection of 17α-methyltestosterone at 0.01 or 0.1 μg/g body weight. 17α-hydroxyprogesterone did not induce a significant improvement in spermatophore quality. These findings indicate that a steroid injection program should be evaluated as a practical way of improving spermatophore quality in commercial operations.     

Human Food Safety and Environmental Assessment of the Use of 17α-Methyltestosterone to Produce Male Tilapia in the United States

Sex reversal of early life stage tilapia (approximately 7–12 d post-hatch, total length averaging 9–11 mm, and total weight averaging 10–15 mg) is used commonly to produce populations of fish comprised of > 5% phenotypic females. The synthetic androgen, 17α-methyl testosterone (MT), is used to effect sex reversal in tilapia. This paper evaluates environmental impact and human food safety aspects of MT use for tilapia sex reversal based on a review of the scientific literature and on dilution models of farm discharge.
Effect of MT treatment on human food safety was evaluated by regression analysis of radioactivity depletion data and by dilution through growth analysis. Results show that the proposed use of MT for sex reversal of early life stage tilapia presents no negative effects on human food safety. Regression analysis of available depletion data from tilapia shows that whole-body concentrations of MT and metabolites in tilapia attain levels of <100 pg/g after 8 to 40 d of withdrawal, and that achievement of <10 pg/g of MT and metabolites in carcass tissue occurs after 6 to 50 d of withdrawal. These concentrations are attained well before completion of the FDA-required 120-d withdrawal period following MT treatment.
Standardized calculations were made to estimate MT concentration in effluents based on stocking rate and water exchange. Guidelines are provided for management of farms to ensure that effluent MT concentration remains < 1 μg/L. Given the expected concentration of MT in any farm effluents, the rapid dilution of effluent MT to very low levels in receiving waters, the sensitivity of MT to photo-oxidation, the expected rapid bacterial degradation of MT, and the limited total use of MT in the United States, we concluded that the use of MT-treated feed according to the proposed protocol will not cause significant adverse environmental effects.     

Concentration of 17α-Methyltestosterone in HormoneTreated Feed: Effects of Analytical Technique, Fabrication, and Storage Temperature

Feed treated with 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) is used to manipulate the gender of early tilapia fry. In the USA, hormone-treated feed is used by selected producers under an Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) program. While monitoring the fabrication and on-farm use of this treated feed, concerns were raised about the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analytical procedure for detecting MT in feeds, the incorporation of MT in feeds during fabrication, and effects of storage temperature on MT concentration. A series of experiments demonstrated that the analytical procedure for detecting MT in feeds lacked high precision, and, on average, biased results low. MT was uniformly mixed with feed by spraying an MT-alcohol solution on feed while it was blended in an industrial ribbon mixer. Alcohol volumes ranging from 15 mL/kg to 150 mL/kg were equally effective at dispersing MT in feed. The concentrations of MT in feeds consistently declined over time if the storage temperatures were 25 C or higher. Freezing preserved the MT in feed, and the refrigeration of feed fabricated to contain 60 mg MT/kg maintained acceptable MT concentrations during 6 mo of storage.     

Growth Performance of Triploid Red Tilapia Reared Under Laboratory Conditions

Triploidy could reduce breeding activity in tilapia without the use of hormones. In this study, the effect of triploidy on survival, growth, and gender of a line of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus X Oreochromis niloticus) was assessed relative to the performance of diploid siblings. Triploidy was induced by preventing second polar body extrusion by applying either heat or cold shock. Growth was similar for both ploidies during the first 90 days of culture. However, at the age of 120 days, the average body weight of triploids produced by heat shock (215.5 ± 3.61 g) was significantly higher than that of cold shock (192.7 ± 2.6 g) and the diploid control (191.9 ± 1.74 g). Survival among triploids was inferior to diploids. Percentage of males in the triploid population was 82.9% in the heat-shocked treatment group, 54.8% in the cold-shock treatment, and 50% in the diploid control. Maximum attainable weight of red tilapia was calculated by applying the Ford-Walford growth plot: 650 g (heat-shocked triploids), 490 g (cold-shocked triploids), and 440 g in the diploid control.     

星洲红鱼对温度适应性的研究

本文以20℃为试验起始温度,分别对星洲红鱼进行温度渐变(每天升温或降温1℃/d,速度控制在每12 h升或降0.5℃)和突然升高(2℃、4℃、6℃、8℃、10℃、12℃、14℃、16℃、18℃、20℃)以及突然下降2℃、4℃、6℃、8℃、10℃、12℃、14℃)实验,逐渐升温和降温实验表明:星洲红鱼对温度的适应范围8～40℃,生存温度14～36℃,临界死亡低温为(7.82±0.21)℃,致死低温为(5.67±0.16)℃,临界死亡高温为(38.36±0.21)℃,致死高温为(39.83±0.15)℃。突然升温和降温实验表明星洲红鱼对高温的适应性强,可适应突然上升16℃的升幅(20℃→36℃),对突然下降仅能适应8℃的降幅(20℃→12℃)。     

The Effects of Salinity on Reproductive Performance of Florida Red Tilapia

The reproductive performance of yearling Florida red tilapia broodstock was studied in laboratory aquaria at salinities of 1 (freshwater), 9, 18, 27 and 36 ppt under controlled photoperiod (14 L:10 D) and temperature (28 C).
Spawning was observed at all salinities, although egg production per unit female weight at each spawn was significantly higher at 1 ppt than at higher salinities. An inhibitory effect of salinity on reproductive performance was evidenced by a trend toward lower fertilization, hatching, and survival of prejuveniles with increasing salinity. Fry production per unit female weight declined at salinities above 18 ppt. The results suggest that Florida red tilapia broodstock may be maintained under salinities as high as 18 ppt without impairing fry production, suggesting that hatchery production in brackishwater would be practical in areas where freshwater resources are limiting.     

Changes in Dietary Protein to Metabolizable Energy Needs of 17α-Methyltestosterone Treated Juvenile Rainbow Trout1,2

Two consecutive feeding trials were used to examine optimum dietary protein to metabolizable energy (P:ME) and ME needs of juvenile rainbow trout fed semipurified diets supplemented with 2.0 mg 17^α-methyltestosterone (MT)/kg of dry ingredients. In trial 1, five diets containing 80,100, 120, 140, and 160 mg protein/kcal ME of dry diet at a constant 390 kcal ME/100 g of dry diet were used. In trial 2, four diets were prepared with 300, 340, 370, and 390 kcal dietary ME at a P:ME ratio of 100. Diets were prepared with and without MT and fed for 8 weeks to 5.4 g initial weight fish in trial 1 and 3.7 g initial weight fish in trial 2. Proximate composition of the whole body (WB) and empty carcass (EC = an eviscerated whole body) of fish was measured at the end of both trials. In trial 1, maximum efficient protein gain (MEPG) values of MT treated fish were correspondingly higher than the values obtained for controls at all dietary P:ME ratios fed except for those fish fed at a P:ME ratio of 80. The optimum P:ME ratio for MT treated fish was 100 and for control fish was 120. In trial 2, all MT treated fish fed diets containing 340 kcal ME/100 g and above had a higher MEPG value than all control fish. The diet containing an ME level of 340 kcal was considered optimum for growth of MT treated fish fed a dietary P:ME ratio of 100. MT treatment increased EC, but did not change WB fat content of fish in both trials.     

Effects of oestradiol-17β or 17α-methyltestosterone administration on gonadal differentiation of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)

Monosex populations can be a valuable management tool in culture of larger size largemouth bass (>400 g). In this study, we investigated the effective mode and duration of oestrogen and androgen administrations to produce monosex largemouth bass populations. The experiment consisted of nine treatments. In oral administration groups, we fed 40-day-old fry either 200 mg of an oestradiol-17β (E₂) kg⁻¹ diet or 60 mg of a 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) kg⁻¹ diet for 30, 45 or 60 days. In bath treatments, we immersed fry in a 1 mg MT L⁻¹ solution for 5 h a day on three or six occasions. For control treatment, we fed fry an ethanol-treated diet for 45 days. The frequency of females in the control group was 53.1%. Oral administration of E₂ at all durations resulted in slight increases in the frequency of females (59.8–70.5%). Both modes of androgen administration at all durations were ineffective in altering phenotypic sex. The experimental results of our study indicated that male differentiation passed the point of being completely and functionally influenced by exogenous oestrogens, while female differentiation had already taken place and was no longer responsive to exogenous androgens in 40-day-old (33.5 mm) largemouth bass fry.     

Effects of Natural EstradioI-17β and Synthetic 17α- Ethynylestradiol on Direct Feminization of European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax

To produce a monosex female population of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax, fry were fed dry diets containing dosages of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg food of either the natural estrogen estradiol-170β(E₂) or the synthetic estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE₂) for 60 d starting at 88 d post-hatch (dph). A complete feminization (100%) was achieved in all E₂-treated groups at the age of 11 mo (330 dph). All affected fish had ovaries similar in size and histological structure to those of control females. In the E₂-treated groups, feminized fish were heavier and longer than untreated controls (males and females combined). In control groups females exhibited significantly higher body weight and total length than males. Untreated females from control groups and females from the group treated with E₂ at 12.5 mg/kg food had similar body weight, suggesting that in sea bass growth is related to phenotypic sex. In the Entreated groups, survival rates were similar to those of the control fish. A relatively high percentage of females was obtained in the EE₂-treated groups (from 38.6 to 96.5%). However, the gonadal development in these fish was significantly suppressed and a dose-dependent reduction of gonadal sizes was evident. Treatments with the EE₂ (12-5, 25, and 50 mg/kg food) resulted in many fish having abnormal (2.9-5.4-39.8%, respectively) and sterile (0.6-6.0-21.6%, respectively) gonads. Effects also included significantly lower weight and shorter length when compared with controls. Furthermore, fish fed with EE₂ at the dosage of 50 mg/kg food had high mortality rate. A simple protocol was developed for the complete feminization in sea bass in which the fry (80-100 dph) were fed to satiation two times daily with a diet containing 12.5 me of E₂/ks food for a period of 60 d.     

Preliminary Observations on the Marketability of Saltwater-Cultured Florida Red Tilapia in Puerto Rico

A preliminary assessment of the marketability of saltwatercultured Florida red tilapia was conducted at a farm outlet store and at nine restaurants in Puerto Rico. Florida red tilapia were grown in six 0.2-ha ponds at 22.7 ± 1.2 (mean ± SE) ppt salinity by a commercial aquaculture enterprise in Dorado, northeastern Puerto Rico. Customers purchased 4,683kg of dressed-out fish (gilled, gutted and scaled) at $7.70/kg and 826kg of whole fish at $6.60/kg from a retail outlet store located at the aquaculture farm, and nine restaurants purchased 1,071kg of dressed-out fish at wholesale prices ranging from $4.96 to $5.18/kg. Farm outlet customers and restaurants preferred dressed-out fish between 454–567g and 567–580g, respectively. Prices paid per serving by restaurant customers for red tilapia ($7.00–$25.00) were similar to that paid for silk snapper Lutjanus vivanus , a popular marine food fish in Puerto Rico. Market surveys of customers at these outlets showed that 75–81% of the respondents were new consumers of red tilapia and that they rated red tilapia highly in taste, texture, freshness, and presentation and equal to or better than silk snapper. There was no effect ( P > 0.05) of age group or economic level on consumer responses. Survey participants stressed the need for product promotion, including a more markehriented name that emphasized the red color and that it was farm-raised in saltwater, to distinguish it from darkcolored, wild-caught freshwater tilapia. Local saltwater production of Florida red tilapia could help supply the market demand for fresh, marine fish in Puerto Rico if producers can meet the demand for quality, availability and price.     

Effect of 17 α-methyltestosterone on gonadal differentiation in pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca L.

Morphological and histological studies demonstrated that 17 α-methyltestosterone (MT) affects sex differentiation and can be used to control the phenotypic sex of pikeperch. Stizostedion lucioperca L. Treatment (for 21 days) of pikeperch (initially 2.2 g wet weight) with MT at 30 mg kg^-1 diet induced germ cells inversion in approximately 46.67% of individuals (although 96.67% of the fish were classified as males). An increase in treatment duration (60 and 90 mg kg^-1) increased the percentage of female, intersex and sterile fish. Slower growth rates of all the fish treated with MT in comparison to the control groups were demonstrated. However, no significant differences in conditions and mortalities between the MT treated fish and controls were observed.     

Optimum Density of Red Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus×O. urolepis hornorum in a Pulsed-Flow Culture System

Abstract.— Densities of 9 tilapia (hybrid Oreochromis mossambicus × O. urolepis hornorum)/m³ gave the highest production among five densities (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 fish/m³) tested in a pulsed-flow culture system. Culture of fish in irrigation ditches may have great potential for integrating fish farming with irrigated agriculture. Each 1,000 meters of ditch could potentially produce up to 1,400 kg of tilapia during a 112-d growing season.     

Influence of Monascus Fermentation on Storage Characteristics of Semidry Salted Tilapia

Semidried salted tilapia was fermented and prepared by Monascus (Monascus anka and Monascus purpureus). The sample was restored at 25°C to undergo the preservation test. The color value, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) value, ammoniacal nitrogen content, acid value, and peroxide value were measured on a daily basis for 24 days. Results showed that Monascus contributed to inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and delayed the advent of decomposition. Meanwhile, they could keep the lipids from oxidation and rancidity, which helped the semidried tilapia achieve a satisfying color. The preservation test and the bacterial colony culture test on physicochemical and microbiological indexes under 25°C showed that Monascus fermentation could inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, improved the quality of semidried tilapia, and extended shelf life.     

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Ulva fasciata on Red Hybrid Tilapia Growth and Carcass Composition

Five different levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 g kg^?1) of algal (Ulva fasciata) meal were added to red tilapia feeds to examine its effect on growth and carcass biochemical content. Addition of ulva meal significantly improved growth performance, feed utilization, total crude protein content, and percentage of highly unsaturated fatty acids. Fish fed 75 g kg^?1 or 100 g kg^?1 of U. fasciata performed better than others.     

Effect of 17α-Methyltestosterone Treatment and Withdrawal on Growth and Dietary Protein Utilization of Juvenile Rainbow Trout Fed Practical Diets Varying in Protein Level1,2

The effects of 17^α -methyltestosterone (MT) treatment and withdrawal on relative daily gain (RDG), protein gain (PG), productive protein value (PPV), and maximum efficient protein gain (MEPG) of juvenile rainbow trout fed practical diets varying in protein to metabolizable energy (P:ME) ratio were examined over an 18 week period. Two commercially available practical feeds with additions of dextrin and codliver oil were used to formulate diets containing 48% and 32% protein at approximately 320 kcal ME/100 grams with and without 2.0 mg MT/kg of dry diet. MT treated fish were fed hormone supplemented diets for 10 weeks (Phase 1) and hormone free diets for the final eight weeks (Phase 2) of the experiment. Control fish were fed hormone free diets for 18 weeks. MT treatment increased all growth and efficiency factors of fish during Phase 1. The increase in MEPG values due to MT treatment was more pronounced for fish fed the diet containing 48% protein than for fish fed the diet containing 32% protein. Hormone withdrawal reduced growth and efficiency values of fish to below the level of controls during Phase 2. Greater declines occurred for MT treated fish fed the diet containing 32% protein. No difference was observed between final mean RDC, PG, and MEPG values of fish initially fed MT and control fish calculated for the entire 18 weeks. Hormone withdrawal negated MT stimulated increases in empty carcass (EC) fat and whole body (WB) protein and decreases in EC and WB water contents that occurred in Phase 1. EC ash content was increased due to MT treatment and remained high through the period of withdrawal.     

Effects of Intraspecific Hybridization in Tilapia nilotica on Survival Under Ambient Winter Temperature in Alabama

Viability under ambient winter temperatures in Alabama was assessed for Auburn University-Egypt and Auburn University-Ivory Coast strains of Tilapia nilotica and their F₁, F₂, and four backcross hybrids. Egypt strain was more viable ( P = 0.05) than Ivory Coast strain. Observed mean viabilities of the F₁ hybrids were intermediate between those of the parental strains. Viabilities of the reciprocal F₁ hybrids were not significantly different. Viabilities of the reciprocal F₂ hybrids were not significantly different. Backcross hybrids that were produced by crossing F₁ hybrid females to Egypt strain had a greater observed mean viability than those that were produced by crossing F₁ hybrid females to Ivory Coast strain. Average viabilities of the parental strains, F₁, F₂, and backcross hybrids were not significantly different. Heterosis in F₁, F₂, and backcross hybrids was −1.39%,−0.82%, and −2.08%, respectively. Viability under ambient winter temperatures in Alabama in T. nilotica appears to be controlled by additive rather than by dominance effects, which means that selection rather than crossbreeding is the breeding technique that should be evaluated to improve this trait in T. nilotica .     

Effects of estradiol-17β and 17α-methyltestosterone on gonadal sex differentiation in the F2 hybrid sturgeon, the bester

The effects of giving oral estradiol-17β (E₂) and 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) on gonadal sex differentiation in the F₂ hybrid sturgeon, the bester ( Huso huso female ×  Acipenser ruthenus male), are investigated. Giving E₂ at 10 μg/g diet to fish from 14 months until 31 months of age induced incomplete feminization and resulted in approximately 40% abnormal ovary development in which oocytes were observed without ovarian lamellar structures and gonadal shape was similar to normal testis. Giving MT at 25 μg/g diet for the same duration failed to induce masculinization, and resulted in approximately 30% undeveloped gonads even at 30–37 months of age. In contrast, E₂ and MT at only 1 μg/g diet given from 3 to 18 months of age was sufficient to induce feminization and masculinization, respectively. In these fish, feminization and masculinization were observed at 9 months, when most putative ovaries and testes were histologically distinguishable by the shape of the gonadal surface. These results indicate that sex reversal can be induced in these fish by hormone treatment that is started at 3 months age, before morphological differentiation occurs on the stroma of the gonads.