Quantifying the dietary niacin requirement of the Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fingerlings

A growth study was conducted to determine the dietary niacin requirement of the Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fingerlings (Mean weight 9.41 ± 0.18 g). Semi‐purified diets with five levels (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg kg^?1 diet) of supplemental niacin were fed to H. fossilis for 15 weeks. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish. Results indicated that the highest (P < 0.05) weight gain was for the fish fed the diet supplemented with 20 mg niacin kg^?1, followed by fish fed the diets with 40, 10 and 5 mg niacin kg^?1, and the lowest in fish fed the unsupplemented control diet. Patterns of specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were similar to those of the weight gain. Survival of fish fed the control diet and niacin‐supplemented diet was 58% and 91–100% respectively. Niacin deficiency signs such as anaemia, anorexia, lethargy and skin haemorrhage were observed in fish fed the control diet. The haematocrit values (Ht) were higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed the diets supplemented with niacin than in fish fed the control diet. The hepatosomatic indexes (HSI) of fish fed with or without niacin‐supplemented diets were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from each other. Both body protein and lipid content were higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed the diet supplemented with 20 and 40 mg niacin kg^?1, respectively, than those fish fed other diets. The niacin content in liver significantly (P < 0.05) reflected the supplementation level in the diet and ranged from 29.11 to 40.31 mg g^?1 tissue. The associated liver niacin content for growth was about 47 μg g^?1 tissue. Quadratic regression analysis showed that the dietary niacin requirement for maximal growth of H. fossilis under these experimental conditions was about 25 mg kg^?1 diet.     

Dietary histidine requirement of Singhi,Heteropneustes fossilis fry (Bloch)

Amino acids are vital for all living organisms including fish and histidine is an essential amino acid for fish. In view of this, dietary histidine requirement of fry Heteropneustes fossilis was determined by feeding casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (430 g kg^?1 CP) and isocaloric (17.9 MJ kg^?1 GE; 15.5 MJ kg^?1 DE) amino acid test diets (10 to 20 g histidine kg^?1 dry diet) to quadruplicate groups of randomly assigned fish to apparent satiety for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG; 44 g fish^?1), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 20%), protein efficiency ratio (PER; 1.04), haemoglobin (Hb; 11.24 g dL^?1), haematocrit (Hct; 35.11%), red blood count (RBCs; 2.98 × 10⁹ mL^?1) and lowest erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; 1.92 mm h^?1) were obtained at 16 g histidine kg^?1 dry diet. The 95% maximum quadratic response of above data exhibited the requirement to be at 15.2, 15.1, 15.6 and 15.5 g histidine kg^?1 diet. As histidine is found in higher concentration in haemoglobin, requirement obtained for Hct% and Hb is 4% greater than that required for maximizing weight gain and protein retention. Based on these results, dietary histidine requirement of H. fossilis fry is recommended between 15.1 and 15.6 g kg^?1, corresponding to 35.1–36.3 g kg^?1 protein.     

Induction of triploidy and tetraploidy in stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), using heat shock

Induction of triploidy and tetraploidy was attempted in Heteropneustes fossilis using heat shock. The optimal age of zygote, temperature level and duration of thermal shock required for effective induction of triploidy and tetraploidy was investigated in a series of experiments. A maximum of 82±7% triploids (3n=87) were obtained when fertilized eggs (2.5‐min old) were heat shocked at 40°C for 4‐min duration. A maximum of 40±8% tetraploids (4n=116) was obtained when the fertilized eggs (30‐min old) were heat shocked at 40°C for 4‐min duration. The triploid and tetraploid red blood cells (RBCs) nucleus volumes were 1.4 and 2.1 times greater, respectively, than that of the diploid RBC nucleus.     

Dietary l‐lysine requirement of fingerling stinging catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) for optimizing growth,feed conversion,protein and lysine deposition

Dietary lysine requirement of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (6.96 ± 0.05 g) was quantified by conducting 12‐week feeding trial in a flow‐through system at 28°C. Casein–gelatin based isonitrogenous (38% CP) and isocaloric (14.7 kJ g^?1 DE) amino acid test diets with six levels of dietary lysine (1.5%, 1.75%, 2.0%, 2.25%, 2.5%, 3.0% dry diet) were fed to apparent satiation in triplicates. Broken‐line and second‐degree polynomial regression analyses at 95% plateau of absolute weight gain (AWG; g fish^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein deposition (PD; g fish^?1) and lysine deposition (LD; g fish^?1) exhibited lysine requirement between 2.0% to 2.3% of the dry diet, corresponding to 5.3–6.1% protein.     

Dietary arginine requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (Bloch) based on growth,nutrient retention and haematological parameters

Dietary arginine requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (3.0 ± 0.5 cm; 5.1 ± 0.3 g) was determined by feeding casein‐gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (400 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isocaloric (17.97 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets containing graded levels of l ‐arginine (15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 g kg^?1 dry diet) for 12 weeks. Maximum absolute weight gain (AWG) (44.4), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.22), highest protein retention efficiency (PRE%) (41%), energy retention efficiency (ERE%) (75%), best condition factor, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index were noted at 21 g kg^?1 arginine of the dry diet. Maximum body protein (189.8 g kg^?1) was also obtained in fish fed above diet. Highest haematocrit value (35%), Hb concentration (9.54 g dL^?1), RBC count (3.44 × 10⁹ mL^?1) and lowest Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (1.93 mm h^?1) were obtained at the above level of arginine in the diet. AWG, FCR, PRE% and ERE% data were analysed using broken‐line and an exponential fit to obtain more precise dietary arginine requirement. On the basis of broken‐line and exponential analyses of AWG, FCR, PRE and ERE data, inclusion of dietary arginine in the range of 20.4–22.6 g kg^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 51–56.5 g kg^?1 dietary protein, is recommended for formulating arginine‐balanced feeds for rearing H. fossilis fry.     

Induced Spawning of the Indian Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis,by GnRH Analogue Alone or in Combination with Dopamine-Affecting Drugs

ABSTRACT

Mature female Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis were induced to spawn in spawning season (July-August) by various ovulation-inducing agents, and the frequency of ovulation was checked after a latency of 12-14 hours of the treatment. Egg mass and fertilization rate were taken as end-points of spawning performance. [D-Ala⁶-Pro⁹] ethylamide GnRH analogue in dosages of 0.075, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.5 μg/g of body weight resulted in 28.5%, 71%, 86%, and 86% ovulation, respectively, but the lower doses of 0.01 and 0.05 μg/g body weight failed to induce ovulation in early spawning phase (July). The dopamine-2 (DA2) receptor antagonists pimozide, domperidone, and metoclopramide potentiated the anovulatory dose of 0.05 μ g GnRH analogue to induce ovulation in 86%, 86%, and 50% of the females, respectively, in the early spawning phase (July). The DA precursor, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA; 10 μg/g body weight) and the DA agonist bromocriptine (10 μg/g body weight) decreased markedly the ovulatory response of 0.2 μ g GnRH analogue to 29%. The catechol-amine-synthesis inhibitor a-methylparatyrosine produced a mild depressing effect on the ovulatory response of 0.2 μ g GnRH analogue. Egg mass was high in groups that yielded a high ovulatory response (71% and above) except the a-MPT groups. The fertilization rate, however, was not affected, irrespective of the ovulatory response. The results show that the Indian catfish can be induced to spawn by superac-tive GnRH analogue alone in a dosage range of 0.15-0.2 μg/g body weight or in combination with DA2 antagonists, such as pimozide or domperidone, in a very low dosage of 0.05 μg/g.     

Dietary arginine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis, Bloch)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary arginine requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.25 ± 1.30 cm, 4.8 ± 0.65 g). Six isonitrogenous (400 g Kg^?1) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 2.5 g Kg^?1 containing graded levels of l-arginine (8.5–21.0 g Kg^?1, dry diet). Fish were randomly stocked in triplicate groups, in 75-l circular trough with flow-through system and fed experimental diets at 4 % BW/day at 0800 and 1800 h. Maximum live weight gain (277 %), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.52) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.64) were obtained in fish fed diet containing 16.0 g Kg^?1 arginine. However, quadratic regression analysis of live weight gain, FCR, PER and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirements for dietary arginine at 16.80, 16.30, 16.11 and 16.10 g Kg^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher whole body protein content, minimum carcass moisture and intermediate carcass fat contents were recorded at 16.0 g Kg^?1 dietary arginine diet. Ash content remained insignificantly (p > 0.05) low among all the treatments except at diet I and diet II. Based on the above results, it is recommended that the diet for young H. fossilis should contain arginine at 16.32 g Kg^?1, dry diet, corresponding to 40.80 g Kg^?1 dietary protein for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.     

Dietary L‐tryptophan requirement of fingerling stinging catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

To quantify dietary L‐tryptophan requirement of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (6.66 ± 0.08 g), casein–gelatin‐based isonitrogenous (38% CP) and isoenergetic (14.72 kJ g^?1 DE) purified diets with eight levels of L‐tryptophan (0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20%, 0.24%, 0.28%, 0.32%, 0.36%, 0.40% dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish twice daily to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. Incremental levels of dietary tryptophan from 0.12 to 0.28% significantly (P < 0.05) improved absolute weight gain (AWG; 14.3–65.9 g fish^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 5.9–1.5), protein retention efficiency (PRE; 6.2–32.2%), haemoglobin (Hb; 6.5 to 11.9 g dL^?1) and haematocrit (Hct; 23.5–33.8%). To determine the precise information on tryptophan requirement, data were subjected to broken‐line and second‐degree polynomial regression analysis. Broken‐line regression analysis reflected highest R² values for AWG g fish^?1 (0.999), PRE% (0.993), Hb g dL^?1 (0.995) and Hct% (0.993) compared with R² values obtained using second‐degree polynomial regression analysis of AWG g fish^?1(0.949), PRE% (0.890), Hb g dL^?1(0.969) and Hct% (0.943), indicating that data were better fit to broken‐line regression analysis. Hence, based on broken‐line regression analysis at 95% maximum response, tryptophan requirement of fingerling H. fossilis is recommended between 0.24% and 0.27% dry diet (0.63–0.71% protein).     

Induction of meiotic gynogenesis in the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) and evidence for female homogamety

This study reports the results on induced meiotic diploid gynogenesis and female homogametic nature in the Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The eggs of H. fossilis were inseminated with conspecific sperm. The sperm suspension was diluted to 1 × 10⁷ sperm mL⁻¹ in Hanks balanced salt solution. Sperm were irradiated under UV light, with the exposure time ranging from 15 to 360 s (7500 ergs mm⁻² for 60 s). The genetic inactivation of paternal chromosomes was confirmed by chromosome counting from the larval cells and the larvae also had a characteristic haploid syndrome. A typical ‘Hertwig effect’ in the yield of hatched larvae was observed with doses of UV exposure >75 s (9375 ergs mm²). Larvae resulting from sperm UV irradiated above 120 s (15 000 ergs mm²) were 100% haploids. Application of heat shock to the activated eggs was effective in suppressing the release of the second polar body (meiotic gynogenesis) and resulted in diploid gynogenetic larvae morphologically identical to those of the control. The best yield of diploid gynogens (49.3% with respect to the control) was found to be at 6 min after egg activation and the heat shock at 41 °C for a 1-min duration, at an ambient water temperature of 27 °C. A total of 113 diploid gynogenetic fry from seven different female fish were reared and subjected to sexing. All gynogenetic fish were female in contrast to the control, which had a mean sex ratio of 56.7% females (which was not significantly different from 50% female). From these results, the sex determination mechanism in H. fossilis was presumed to be female homogamety.     

Osmoregulation in the stenohaline freshwater catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in deionized water

Transfer of the stenohaline catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis from tap water (TW) to deionized water (DW) resulted in an increase in the glomerular filtration rate, urine volume and osmolar and free water clearance. In a closed system, where the DW was renewed only once a day, no change in the plasma osmolality was evident for up to 14 days. When DW was renewed four times a day for 25 days, a significant reduction in the plasma osmolality was observed within 24h. When the fish were transferred back to TW, plasma osmolality increased to normal freshwater level within 24h. These observations suggest the existence of highly efficient branchial mechanisms for active uptake of salts from an exceedingly dilute ambient medium. The fact that prolactin-secreting cells as well as corticotrophs in the pituitary of the fish in DW were highly stimulated suggests the involvement of the hormones in the adaptive responses of the catfish to DW.     

Dietary amino acid l-tryptophan requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), estimated by growth and haemato-biochemical parameters

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary tryptophan requirement of fingerling Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (6.10 ± 1.15 cm, 4.44 ± 0.50 g). Six isonitrogenous (40 g 100 g^?1) and isoenergetic (17.90 kJ g^?1) amino acid test diets were formulated with gradation of 0.1 g 100 g^?1 containing graded levels of l-tryptophan (0.04–0.54 g 100 g^?1, dry diet). Fish were stocked in triplicate groups, in 75-L circular trough with flow-through system and fed experimental diets at 4% BW/day twice daily. Maximum live weight gain (258%), best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.54) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.62) were obtained in fish fed diet containing 0.34 g 100 g^?1 tryptophan. However, quadratic regression analysis of weight gain, FCR, PER and body protein deposition (BPD) data indicated requirements for dietary tryptophan at 0.37, 0.33, 0.32 and 0.33 g 100 g^?1 of dry diet, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher body protein, minimum moisture and intermediate fat contents were recorded at 0.34 g 100 g^?1 dietary tryptophan diet. Ash content was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments except for diets 0.04 and 0.14 g 100 g^?1. Excellent somatic and haematological indices values were obtained at the requirement level. Based on above results, it is recommended that the diet for H. fossilis should contain tryptophan at 0.32 g 100 g^?1, dry diet, corresponding to 0.80 g 100 g^?1 dietary protein for optimum growth and efficient feed utilization.     

Nutrient digestibility studies in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus) and C. gariepinus (Burchell)

The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC %) for protein in catfishes, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus) (16–18 cm; 45–50 g), C. gariepinus (Burchell) (21–22 cm; 60–65 g) and Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) (10–12 cm; 10–15 g) was estimated for nine feedstuffs of plant and animal origin. Fat digestibility was tested for C. batrachus and C. gariepinus, wherein the influence of feeding frequency on protein digestibility was also examined. The digestibility trials were conducted with triplicate groups of 25 fish each in 70‐L polyvinyl indoor flow‐through (1–1.5 L min^?1) circular tanks (water volume=55 L). Fish were fed to satiation daily, at 08:00 and 18:00 hours, and faecal matter was collected through slow siphoning. For studying the effect of feeding frequency, fish were fed the experimental diets at 08:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00 hours. The protein digestibility of the feedstuffs varied significantly within each test species. However, the protein digestibility values for most of the ingredients tested were comparable between the three catfish species. The most efficient utilization of protein in these fishes was noted for soybean meal followed by lab‐prepared fishmeal. The lowest protein digestibility was recorded for rice bran. Similarly, the utilization of fat from the feedstuffs was also significantly different within each of the two species, C. batrachus and C. gariepinus. Fat digestibility of feed ingredients was similar between the two species. With respect to the fat, soybean meal, lab‐prepared fishmeal, full‐fat soybean meal and dried fish were more efficiently utilized, while the lowest fat digestibility was obtained for rice bran. A marked decline in protein utilization was observed in the two species where the feeding frequency was increased from two to four times a day.     

Effect of dietary l‐lysine levels on growth,feed conversion,lysine retention efficiency and haematological indices of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) fry

Effect of varying dietary lysine levels on growth, feed conversion, nutrient retention, lysine retention efficiency and haematological indices of Heteropneustes fossilis fry (2.97 ± 0.11 cm; 4.78 ± 0.31 g) was studied by conducting a 12‐week feeding trial. Isonitrogenous (450 g kg^?1 CP) and isocaloric (17.97 kJ g^?1 GE) amino acid test diets with graded concentrations of l ‐lysine (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 g kg^?1 dry diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish to apparent satiation twice daily at 17 and 17:30 h. Maximum thermal growth coefficient (TGC, 0.82), best feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.28) highest protein retention efficiency (PRE, 36%), energy retention efficiency (ERE, 79%) and lysine retention efficiency (LRE, 75%) were noted at 24 g kg^?1 lysine of dry diet. Body protein was also found to be in line with growth data and peaked at 24 g kg^?1 lysine of dry diet. Similarly, superior somatic and haematological indices were exhibited by the groups fed dietary lysine at 24 g kg^?1 of the dry diet. However, exponential analysis of dietary lysine intake against TGC, lysine retention and protein retention indicated that inclusion of dietary lysine in the range of 13.24–14.14 g kg^?1 dry diet, corresponding to 29.42–31.42 g kg^?1 dietary protein, is essential for faster growth of this fish.     

Effect of Sanitizers on Planktonic Edwardsiella tarda Isolated from Asian Stinging Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch 1794)

Incidence of Edwardsiella tarda in Asian stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), and its sensitivity to antibiotics and sanitizers was studied. Five out of 10 representative lots of H. fossilis were positive for E. tarda. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of sanitizers (hydrogen peroxide, glutaraldehyde, benzalkonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, and iodophor) on planktonic E. tarda varied with strains, suspending media (distilled water, physiological saline, pond water, and tryptic soy broth), and combination of factors. The time taken by the sanitizers to achieve 5-log reductions varied greatly between 1 min and 180 min at X and 2X MBCs of sanitizers. Benzalkonium chloride, glutaraldehyde, and sodium hypochlorite were effective in reducing the planktonic E. tarda at concentrations ranging from 3.13 ppm for glutaraldehyde to 25 ppm for sodium hypochlorite. Edwardsiella tarda strains were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and exhibited varying degrees of resistance to other antibiotics.     

Biochemical impacts of salinity on the catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794), and possibility of their farming at low saline water

Although a stenohaline freshwater fish, the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis, is also available in the freshwater fringes of the coastal areas of Bangladesh, the tolerance of this species to variable environmental salinity has not been thoroughly investigated. Based on median lethal salinity (MLS‐50 96 h), three sublethal salinity levels (3 ppt, 6 ppt and 9 ppt) and a control (0 ppt), each with three replications were selected to observe the effects of mildly brackish conditions on the fish for a period of 90‐day exposure. Better growth and survival were found up to 6 ppt compared with control. Salinity more than 6 ppt appeared unsuitable for H. fossilis fingerling due to increased mortality and reduced growth. To determine biochemical alterations, a few important physiological parameters were observed after 90 days of exposure. Glycogen level of liver and muscle in the fish reared at 9 ppt salinity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to the control. Glucose level in blood and liver was also found to be increased in fish with increase in salinity. ALP and ATPase activities were reduced significantly in both muscle and liver tissues at higher salinity, indicating the stress mitigation effect. However, all the biochemical parameters were found in normal condition up to 6 ppt compared with control. This evidence suggests that H. fossilis can sustain and grow well below 6 ppt and can be a potential candidate for culture in coastal areas after heavy downpour when the salinities level falls to 6 ppt or lower.     

Alterations in enzyme activities in vital organs of triploid female catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Triploid Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) showed sterility and higher growth potential than the normal diploid fish. Activities of some metabolic enzymes such as cytosolic NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), mitochondrial NAD-malate dehydrogenase (NAD-MDH) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were evaluated in liver, brain and kidney along with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-P D) in ovary of female triploid catfish. Activities of these enzymes showed distinct seasonal periodicity, mostly with highest activities in prespawning and spawning periods, in both diploid and triploid catfish but differed in magnitude. In triploid liver, GPT showed higher activity than the diploid counterpart in prespawning and spawning periods. On the contrary, mitochondrial NAD-MDH and cytosolic NADP-MDH in this organ showed a consistent lower activity than the diploid in all stages or in some stages of reproductive cycle respectively. Interestingly, none of the enzymes in brain and kidney of triploid female catfish showed significant changes in comparison to the diploid counterpart. The triploid ovary maintained a significantly lower level of G-6-P D activity throughout the resting, preparatory and pre-spawning periods compared to the diploid ovary. Lower level of malic enzymes (NAD-MDH and NADP-MDH) in liver and G-6-P D in ovary are in close synchrony with lower level of estradiol-17β in plasma of female triploids as found in earlier study.     

Growth,feed conversion and body composition of fingerling stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) fed varying levels of dietary l‐threonine

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary l ‐threonine on growth, protein utilization, threonine retention efficiencies, nucleic acid indices and body composition of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis (6.6 ± 0.1 g; 10.9 ± 0.2 cm). Casein–gelatin based isonitrogenous (38% crude protein; CP) and isocaloric (15.3 kJ g^?1 digestible energy; DE) amino acid test diets with six levels of dietary l ‐threonine (0.75%; 1.0%; 1.25%; 1.5%; 1.75%; 2.0% dry diet) were prepared and hand‐fed to quadruplicate groups of fingerling to apparent visual satiation twice daily. Weight gain (WG; 46.3 g fish^?1), feed conversion ratio (FCR; 1.98), protein utilization efficiency (PUE; 0.25), threonine retention efficiency (TRE; 0.69), lipid productive value (LPV; 0.45), body protein (18.2%) and RNA/DNA ratio (3.6) of fish fed graded levels of dietary threonine increased significantly (P < 0.05) up to 1.49% threonine of dry diet. To generate precise information, the WG, RNA/DNA and LPV data were subjected to broken‐line and quadratic regression analyses. The two models were superimposed and requirement was determined by establishing the point, where the quadratic curve first intersected the plateau of broken‐line. Based on the above mathematical analyses, optimum dietary threonine requirement of fingerling H. fossilis was estimated to range between 1.62% and 1.69% of the diet, corresponding to 4.26–4.44% protein.     

Plasma levels of Gonadotropin-II and gonadal sex steroids in triploid catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Triploid fish have under-developed gonads due to altered reproductive endocrinology. Triploids of Indian catfish (H. fossilis) showed significantly reduced plasma levels of gonadotropin (GtH-II), testosterone (T) and estradiol-17 (E₂) than that of diploids throughout the year, except for the resting phase, irrespective of sex. Plasma levels of GtH-II were significantly different (p<0.001) between diploid and triploid fish during preparatory, prespawning and spawning phase. The plasma testosterone contents in triploids were significantly less (p<0.001) than that of diploids, except during the resting phase. Triploid females showed very low titres of estradiol-17 (<1 ng ml^–1) throughout the annual reproductive cycle in contrast to highly fluctuating levels in diploid females. Thus, this study for the first time provides information on reduced levels of GtH-II and sex steroids in plasma of male triploid fish and additional information on species-specific alteration of sex hormones in female triploids.     

Dietary copper requirement of fingerling Heteropneustes fossilis for formulating copper‐balanced commercial feeds

Dietary copper requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis (6.74 ± 0.03 g) was determined by feeding purified diets containing same protein (400 g/kg) and gross energy (17.89 kJ/g) but different levels of copper for 12 weeks. Graded amount of CuSO₄.5H₂O (0, 1.96, 3.93, 5.89, 7.86, 9.82, 11.79 mg/kg) was supplemented to basal diet to attain desired dietary copper levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mg/kg). Analysed dietary copper concentrations were 4.28, 4.63, 5.28, 5.70, 6.19 and 6.69 mg/kg. Absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein gain improved with the increasing levels of dietary copper up to 5.28 mg/kg. Further inclusion of copper at a level of 5.70 mg/kg did not improve the above parameters. Significantly higher (p < .05) plasma ceruloplasmin, liver copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were evident in fish receiving diets with 5.28 and 5.70 mg/kg copper compared to other groups. Whole body and liver copper concentrations increased significantly (p < .05) with increasing dietary copper levels. Quadratic regression analysis of absolute weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein gain and broken‐line regression analysis of plasma ceruloplasmin activity and liver TBARS value against the variable dietary copper levels depicted the dietary copper requirements for fingerling H. fossilis in the range of 5.24–5.68 mg/kg.