Analysis of Male Urine as Pheromone to Increase Reproduction in Female Tiger Grouper (Epinephelus Fuscoquttatus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the steroid hormone compound in the urine of male tiger grouper, and the role of steroid hormone suspected as pheromone of the male fish to induce gonad maturity of female tiger grouper. The methods employed in this study included broodstock maintenance, the collection of male urine samples, pheromone analysis of male urine, and application test of urine for gonad maturity of female tiger grouper. The analysis of pheromone content in urine was performed by using LC-MS / MS and FTIR methods. Urine was applied for several females placed in concrete tanks with a volume of 12 tons, 4 females for each tank. The parameters tested were male urine dose: 1 ml, 2 ml, and 3 ml. The results of pheromone analysis using LC-MS / MS method in urine and sperm of male tiger grouper indicated a peak of ion percussion of 255 ms and 273 ms, while the ion products showed 159 F and 255F. Based on the result of FTIR test, it could be seen that the resulted bands were infrared absorption which had certain character patterns, in which urine had six infrared spectrums; this steroid was classified in alcohol group β-sitosterol. The role of urine as a pheromone carrier administered to female was observed through the concentrations of estradiol-17β hormone and testosterone in blood plasma. The results showed that the concentration of estradiol-17β was much higher when compared with testosterone, either before or after treatment. The high concentration of estradiol was related to the stages of egg development in the female before the spawning season. From the results of this study, it could be concluded that male urine of tiger grouper was a pheromone that could increase the stimulation and gonad maturity of female broodstock.