Abstract
The aim of the study was to establish an effective feminization protocol for Leporinus macrocephalus using the 17β-estradiol (E2). Thus, one hundred and fifty fingerlings with 50 days old post-hatch were randomly distributed in fifteen experimental tanks of 90L and fed for 60 days on a diet supplemented with 50 or 100mg Kg-1 of E2. At the end of the experiment, sex ratios were determined through histological and macroscopic observations. Histologically, the differentiated ovaries were evidenced by the presence of numerous nests of oogonia and oocytes in primary growth stage. The female ratio (73%) for the group treated with 100mg Kg-1 E2 was significantly higher than those of control (52%) and 50mg Kg-1 treatment (48%) groups. These results indicate that 100 mg Kg-1 E2 administered for 60 days was the most effective treatment for 50 days old L. macrocephalus post larval feminization. In conclusion, the successful sex control can be achieved through dietary hormonal manipulation. However, future studies should be conducted to evaluate the economic feasibility of this technique.
Highlights
One of the major challenges of Brazilian aquaculture is the lack of technological packages for the creation of important native species of fish
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of a diet supplemented with 50 or 100 mg kg-1 17β-estradiol (E2) for Leporinus macrocephalus feminization
These results obtained in this initial study indicated that 100 mg kg-1 of E2, administered over 60 days, was the most effective treatment for 50 days old L. macrocephalus post larval feminization
Summary
One of the major challenges of Brazilian aquaculture is the lack of technological packages for the creation of important native species of fish. According to the yearbook of Brazilian fish farming, there was a drop in native fish production, especially due to the lack of technological packages development (Peixe BR, 2019). The production of monosex fish populations is one of the alternatives that can help to boost the cultivation of native fish (Fernandino and Hattori, 2019). Monosex batches provide high economic profitability in production, adding value to the exclusive production of the sex with the best growth rates (Singh, 2013; Budd et al, 2015; Thuong et al, 2017; Alcántar-Vázquez, 2018; Vidal-López et al, 2019). Among the native species of fish considered of great commercial potential, the Leporinus macrocephalus deserves to be Pereira et al Bol. Inst.
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