Pituitary Extract Research Articles

STUDY OF PITUITARY GLAND EXTRACT UTILIZATION FROM STRIPED CATFISH WASTE FOR REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF NORTH AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus)

One of the problems in North African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) breeding is the inability to spawn spontaneously due to a specific spawning season. This happens due to reproductive dysfunction resulting in a slow development of gonads in catfish broodstock. This research aimed to study the effect of injection of pituitary gland extract from Striped Catfish head waste on the spawning performance of North Africans Catfish. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were A (pituitary gland 0 mg/kg broodstock), B (pituitary gland 200 mg/kg broodstock), C (pituitary gland 300 mg/kg broodstock), and D (pituitary gland 400 mg/kg broodstock). The spawning process was performed with a ratio of 1:1 between male and female broodstock. The pituitary gland was injected into the head of female catfish at 07:30 pm and at 04:00 am. The research parameters observed were relative fecundity, fertilization rate (FR), hatching rate (HR), and survival rate (SR). The results showed that injection of the pituitary gland from Striped Catfish head waste could increase spawning performance with relative fecundity reaching of 31,357±12,265 eggs/ kg of female broodstock, FR 65±4%, HR 74±14%, and SR 81±10%. Therefore, hypophysation by utilizing Striped Catfish head waste is effectively increases the spawning performance of North African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) seen from the high values of relative fecundity, FR, HR, and SR of larvae in treatment B (200 mg/kg broodstock).

The development of method of hormonal stimulation of N.L.Gerbilsky and appearance of contemporary preparations of long-term storage

The The main discovery of the 20th century in the field of fish breeding is hormonal stimulation of final stages of maturation of fish at hatcheries. The «father» of method of pituitary injections was Leningrad ichthyologist N.L. Gerbilsky. The main achievements of N.L. Gerbilsky and his school are methods of mass extraction of fish pituitaries, their dehydration by acetone for later storage and use, testing of pituitary gonadotropic activity on different objects. The induction of ovulation in female loaches Misgurnus fossilis or spermiation reaction of Galli-Mainini in male frogs Rana ridibunda or R. temporaria were used for pituitary testing. The effective doses of dried pituitaries for sturgeons were determined in milligrams and loach units or frog units. The method of pituitary injections was used for functioning of sturgeon breeding facilities at Volga, Don, Kuban and Kura and other rivers. For guaranteed answer fish breeders used hyperdoses of dry pituitary powder because its gonadotropic activity varied in dependence on stage of maturity of fish-“donors”. The followers of N.L. Gerbilsky led by Prof. I.A. Barannikova developed the technique of production of special glycerol pituitary extract (GPE) with determined gonadotropic activity. The main role in formulation of the recipe of GPE belongs to A.A. Boyev. The use of GPE has removed the problem of hyperdosing leading to worsening quality of mature germinal cells of sturgeons. Later, A.A. Boyev on the basis of this recipe with replacement of glycerol to propylene glycol created stabilizing solution of analogue of mammal LH-RH (“surphagon”) of long-term storage with concentration of active substance from 20 to 500 micrograms/ml.

Induced reproduction and early development in dourado, Salminus franciscanus Lima & Britski, 2007 (Pisces: Characiformes).

Our study aimed to establish the response of Salminus franciscanus to hypophysation and describe the main morphological events of its embryonic process. Wild fish were captured in São Francisco River and selected broodstock (females: 66.4 ± 11.1 cm and 4.04 ± 2.32 kg; males: 58.3 ± 10.2 cm and 3.62 ± 1.12 kg) were kept at 26.1 ± 0.6°C for induction of final maturation/gamete release via the hypophysation technique. In females, two doses (0.8 and 5.6 mg/kg body weight) of crude pituitary extract of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were administered with a 14 h interval. For males, a single dose (2.7 mg/kg body weight) of crude pituitary extract was applied at the same time as the females' second dose. Oocytes and sperm were manually stripped 8 h after a females' second hormonal dose. Fertilization was carried out using the dry method. Eggs were kept in funnel-type 60 L incubators at 24.3 ± 0.3°C and were analyzed and photographed every 10 min. After hormonal induction, 60% of females and 100% of males reacted positively and no broodstock mortality was recorded. The females released an average of 385.2 ± 78.4 g of oocytes and the fertilization rate observed was 50.4 ± 12.3%. The blastopore closure occurred at 7.5 h, somite formation at 12 h and hatching at 20 h post-fertilization. In general, the results of this study improve the understanding of the reproductive biology of dourado and confirm its potential for fish farming in the neotropical region.

Protein contain in Cyprinus carpio (Ham.) of experimental and control fishes due to administration of ovaprim, ovatide and pituitary gland extract at Fish Seed Production Centre, Paithan, Aurangabad, Maharashtra State, India

Protein contain is a cornerstone mechanism and form part and parcel of nutritive value in particular rely on season, food intake, breeding and spawning capacity. The protein contain in the fish body constitute as a firsthand source of energy for physiological functions incorporating reproduction. Present investigation display that variations in the protein is observed from the mature fishes of Indian major carps such as Cyprinus carpio comprises 20 to 50cm selected for the estimation of protein study considered as experimental and control fishes upon administration of PGE, ovaprim and ovatide synthetic hormonal doses to the male and female sex ratio separately. Protein in the liver of female major carps may be because of vitellogenin, a lipoprotein which is synthesized in the liver and is transported to the ovary (Wallace, 1985). Moreover, gonadal protein enhanced with maturation amongst these fishes. Protein estimation represents the variations throughout the study period amongst the muscle, gonad and liver. After hormonal injections are given then fishes are kept in the breeding pool at the Fish Seed Production Centres (FSPC) located near Paithan barrage. The protein is estimated upon satisfactory administration of hormonal doses Pituitary Gland Extract and by other two synthetic hormonal doses viz. Ovaprim and Ovatide. Study is conducted during 2013 to 2014.

Enhancing the supply and self-sufficiency of animal protein for local population through artificial propagation of African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

The African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822 is the second most farmed fish species in Senegal due to its high fecundity, good growth performance and tolerance of a wide range environmental condition. Despite its economic importance, much remains to be done to improve the production of the species under controlled conditions. The main objective of this study was to implement a suitable method for seed production to meet the increasing demand for fish through the induction of C. gariepinus spawning by hormonal injection using ovaprim and pituitary gland extracts of C. gariepinus. The experiments were independently conducted in three different locations in Senegal: National Aquaculture Agency (ANA) hatchery (Kolda, Kolda), the National Agency for Agricultural Integration and Development (ANIDA) fish farm (Maraye village, Dagana, Saint-Louis) and SENAQUA farm (Tille Bobou, Khombol, Thiès). The results of hormonal induction with ovaprim (dose: 0.5ml/kg of female body weight) stimulated evolution, with 122,500, 150,000 and 15,000 eggs for the ANA, ANIDA and SENAQUA experiments, respectively. The induction with pituitary gland extracts did not, however, provoke female ovulation, probably due to the low dose of hormone contained in these extracts. The hatching rate of the three localities was 60% (73,500 larvae), 30% (45,000 larvae) and 48% (72,000 larvae), respectively. An average growth of 0.25cm/d was recorded for the ANA larvae that were fed exclusively with zooplankton from the third day after hatching, with an alternation of artificial food and zooplankton on the sixth day and with artificial food only on the fourteenth day. However the larvae in this locality had a very high mortality rate of 95%. The mortality rate was also extremely high at ANIDA (96%) where larvae were fed with artemia the second day after hatching throughout the first week, and at SENAQUA farm (98%) where larvae were exclusively fed with dry artificial food (exogenous) from the third day, which corresponds to the resorption of the yolk sac. The high larval mortalities recorded in this study may be due the diet and/or poor water quality in the rearing tanks. These parameters are crucial for the success of larval breeding of C. gariepinus. Based on these results, we suggest increasing by 2 to 3 pituitaries/female and see the effect of this increase on C. gariepinus ovulation.We therefore recommend monitoring breeding conditions after hatching and feeding the larvae with an appropriate diet, preferentially with live food to obtain a better yield, which could help improve production and open other perspectives for the development of aquaculture in Senegal.

Effect of pituitary gland extract (PGE) and ovaprim on induced breeding in Rohu (Labeo rohita) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Effect of pituitary gland extract (PGE) and ovaprim on induced breeding in Rohu (Labeo rohita) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Influence of Ovaprim And Pituitary Gland on The Reproductive Indices and Growth of <i>Clarias garipienus</i> (Burchell, 1822) Broodstock Reared in An Indoor and Outdoor Pond

Ovaprim and pituitary gland from C. gariepinus was used to ascertain the reproductive indices and growth value of the hatchlings (F1) of C. gariepinus at the Fisheries and Research Institute Baga. Broodstocks mean body weight males (1200 g) and females (800 g) was collected from Lake Chad and transported to the institute hatchery complex. It was injected with ovaprim and pituitary gland. The fecundity, sperm volume and weight of the testes were estimated after the latency period. While the hatchlings were reared for eight weeks in a complete randomized design setup in an indoor and outdoor facility to evaluate the weight and length increase. The result revealed significant difference ( P >0.05) in the fecundity of the females, ovaprim had 10,500 while pituitary gland had 7,000. There was significant difference ( P >0.05) in % fertility and hatchability of the eggs. However, the male injected with ovaprim had higher milt volume (2.2 mL). Subsequently, there was no significant difference ( P >0.05) in weight and length parameters across the treatments for the period of the research, the mean weight gains of fry reared indoor induced with ovaprim was 8.77 g while pituitary gland extract was 8.13 g. Meanwhile, the fingerlings reared four weeks in an outdoor pond had a significant growth, the fingerlings induced with ovaprim had 14.35 g in weight gain while pituitary gland was 14.42 g. There was no significant ( P >0.05) difference between the two hormones on fingerling production. There was no significant difference ( P >0.05) between increase in length of fry reared indoors and outdoors for four weeks. This study proved that pituitary can effectively be used to induce Catfish breeding, when considering its availability and high cost of purchasing ovaprim.

Feed Additives in Enhancing Milk Production. A Review

Soil acidity Feed components are merchandise utilized in animal nutrients to enhance the nice of feed and the pleasant of meals from animal origin, or to improve the animals’ overall performance and In Ethiopia, dairy manufacturing relies upon especially on indigenous livestock genetic sources; extra particularly on cattle, goats, camels, and sheep. Therefore, the results of somatotropin at the performance of lactating animals were the problem of a hobby for over 50 years. It becomes, to begin with, confirmed that injections of crude pituitary extract improved milk production in dairy cows. On the opposite hand, four factors may be considered to decide if a feed additive needs to be used: Anticipated reaction, financial go back, available research, and Field responses. But manufacturers are endorsed to significantly evaluate the fee-to-benefit ratio of each feed additive in their management structures. In normally feed additives fall into much different paperwork and can be useful in decreasing consequences of ruminal acidosis, enhancing feed efficiency, a charge of advantage, heat suppression and bloat manage to call a completely few. When nicely utilized in properly-managed surroundings, a lot of these components can improve performance and profitability extensively. This assessment discussed several feed additives used for boosting milk production.

Homoplastic hypophysation of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Clarias gariepinus brood stocks (137.0 6.0g) were hypophysised for maturation and ovulation with Clarias crude pituitary extract (CCPE) at 7 mg/kg body weight of female fish. Fertilization was done by mixing egg and mill together in a dry bowl with feather. Physico-chemical parameters of water were maintained at 6.0 +0.2 mg/l (dissolved oxygen), 28.0 +0.5°C (temperature) and 7.2, 0.1 (pH). The latency period recorded for optimal egg was 10-12 hours. While hatching started at 24 hours to 36 hours. The total number of eggs stripped was 618.8 10, the total fertilized was 332.8 x 10', the total fry hatched was 280.6 x 10%. It is concluded that C. gariepinus can be induced with CCPE to reduce the cost of carp pituitary and problem of its procurement due to scarcity.

Effects of Ovaprim, Pituitary Gland Extract and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Testosterone, 11-Ketotestosterone,and 17β-Estradiol hormones of catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

This study closely inspected the effects of ovaprim, pituitary gland extract, and human chorionic gonadotropin on 11-ketotestosterone, and 17β-estradiol hormones. Females and males (T1, T2, and T3) were injected with Ova Prim as 0.5 ml/kg of fish, pituitary gland extract of catfish, and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), respectively. Results showed that female gonadosomatic index of the spring season (10.45 ±0.35%) were significantly increased compared to other seasons: autumn followed by summer and winter seasons (0.82 ±0.06%). Results showed that T1 was better than T2, but T2 was better than T3 in all reproductive performance parameters. Plasma 17β-estradiol (ng/ml) in female catfish throughout 12 hours after injection of stimulating hormones ranged from 2.15 ng/ml in T1 to 1.65 ng/ml in T3 whereas testosterone in female of catfish throughout 12 hours were ranged from (0.031 ng/ml) in T1 to (0.036 ng/ml) in T3. Also, plasma 11-ketotestosterone (ng/ml) in male of catfish was recorded in T1 (0.154 ng/ml) followed by T2 (0.107 ng/ml) and lowest level in T3 (0.083 ng/ml) but plasma testosterone (ng/ml) in male was recorded in T1 (0.225 ng/ml) followed by T2 (0.189 ng/ml) and lowest level in T3 (0.143 ng/ml).

Neuropeptidomic Analysis of a Genetically Defined Cell Type in Mouse Brain and Pituitary

Neuropeptides and peptide hormones are important cell-cell signaling molecules that mediate many physiological processes. Unlike classic neurotransmitters, peptides undergo cell-type-specific post-translational modifications that affect their biological activity. To enable the identification of the peptide repertoire of a genetically defined cell type, we generated mice with a conditional disruption of the gene for carboxypeptidase E (Cpe), an essential neuropeptide-processing enzyme. The loss of Cpe leads to accumulation of neuropeptide precursors containing C-terminal basic residues, which serve as tags for affinity purification. The purified peptides are subsequently identified using quantitative peptidomics, thereby revealing the specific forms of neuropeptides in cells with the disrupted Cpe gene. To validate the method, we used mice expressing Cre recombinase under the proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) promoter and analyzed hypothalamic and pituitary extracts, detecting peptides derived from proopiomelanocortin (as expected) and also proSAAS in POMC neurons. This technique enables the analyses of specific forms of peptides in any Cre-expressing cell type.

Studies on the fecundity (F), gonadosomatic index (GSI) of Cyprinus carpio (Common carp) due to administration of hormonal doses PGE, Ovaprim and Ovatide at FSPC, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India

Fecundity (F) and Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of Cyprinus carpio (Common carp) at fish seed production center at Aurangabad was estimated for a period during June to September months (2013-2015). During the present study the fish samples was within the range of 30cm to 60cm in length and 400g to 750g in weight. Fecundity and its correlation with body weight of Cyprinus carpio upon administration of ovaprim, ovatide and pituitary gland extract, Average body wt ±SD and Average number of eggs ± SD, a±SD, b±SD, r, and Average relative fecundity±SD for both fecundity and gonadosomatic index were estimated. Fish body weight and weight of gonad gives the gonadosomatic index (G.S.I.). It is the ratio of fish gonad weight to body weight, it is particularly helpful in identifying days and seasons of spawning, as the ovaries of gravid females swiftly increase in size just prior to spawning. Gonadosomatic index of fish increases with maturation being maximum during peak period of maturity and abruptly declines after spawning. The development and growth of gonad simultaneously takes place in the fish and fish grows and the GSI is high. Present study ensured that the growth of fish, body weight and gonad development is correlated. Gonadosomatic index of fish is related to spawning and reproduction of fish. At maturity stage fish has maximum GSI value and after spawning GSI value declines. The GSI value also related to amount of food available to them in water and temperature of water also. So generally during the breeding season of such selected fish shows maximum GSI value and after spawning it is reduced. In this study we have carried out GSI of male and female fish simultaneously. When GSI of both sexes were we came to know that maximum values of GSI have occurred almost at the same time in both sexes and after spawning it is recorded that there was a great decrease in GSI values.

Look Beyond Gluten in Short Stature with Celiac Disease - A Prospective, Interventional Study.

Short stature (SS) is a common manifestation of celiac disease (CD). After starting gluten free diet (GFD), children usually have catch-up growth (improvement in height SDS of >1 SD). However, few children in remission, even on GFD, lack catch up growth. This study was planned to assess the growth hormone (GH) axis and the prevalence of anti-pituitary antibodies in such patients. It was a single-centre, prospective study. Patients with CD in remission for the last 1 y, having SS and lacking catch-up growth, were included after excluding other common causes of SS. GH dynamics were studied using stimulation tests: Insulin tolerance test, clonidine stimulation test, and glucagon stimulation test. GH deficiency (GHD) was defined as non-stimulable response to 2 GH stimulation tests. Anti-pituitary antibodies were analysed in these patients using rat pituitary extract as antigen. Ten patients (8 girls), with a mean age of 10 ± 2.8 y, in serological remission for CD and lacking catch-up growth, were enrolled. All had a height SDS of < -2. Fifteen age matched children with CD and adequate catch up growth served as controls. GHD was seen in 7 patients (70%), out of whom 2 received GH therapy and had an improvement in the height SDS from -2.7 to -1.4 and from -2.1 to 2.4 (over 1 y), respectively. Anti-pituitary antibodies were seen in significant titres in 55.5% of the cases and 40% of the controls. Children with CD in remission but lacking catch-up growth should be evaluated for GHD.

Spawning and developmental biology of endangered Pabdah catfish, Ompok pabda (Hamilton, 1822)

Pabdah catfish, Ompokpabdawas collected from the Old Brahmaputra river and successfully induced to breed by injecting pituitary gland extract to evaluate spawning performances and developmental stages under a photo microscope from February 2018 to August 2018. In this study, absolute fecundity of the O. pabdafemales varied from 6,676 to 20,410 eggs per fish. The GSI value of male and female was lower during September and gradually attained its maximum level in June with the highest average value 6.75±0.2 and 1.053±0.2 in female and male, respectively. The average fertilization and hatching rate of eggs were found 78.67±1.33% and 70.21±0.73%, respectively at 24.5±1.0°C. Fertilized eggs were brownish in color, very transparent and adhesive in nature with 1.0 to 1.2 mm in diameter. Cleavage stages were completed at 1.50 h of post fertilization and it eventually took 23.00 h for hatching. Larva was appeared with prominent three pairs of barbells after 12.00 h of hatching. It took 3 d post hatching to absorb their yolk sac and feeding exogenously. The present work supplemented to the deficient information on detailed spawning and developmental biology of O. pabdain order to save this species from extinction.&#x0D; Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2020, 6(3): 449-459

Experimental design of a culture approach for corneal endothelial cells of New Zealand white rabbit

The harvesting of corneal endothelial cells (CEC) has received special attention due to its potential as a therapy for corneal blindness. The main challenges are related to the culture media formulation, cellular density at the primary isolation, and the number of passages in which CEC can retain their functional characteristics. To alternate different media formulations to harvest CEC has an impact on the cellular yield and morphology. Therefore, we analyzed four different sequences of growth factor-supplemented Stimulatory (S) and non-supplemented Quiescent (Q) media, upon passages to find the optimal S-Q culture sequence. We assessed cell yield, morphology, procollagen I production, Na+/K+-ATPase function, and the expression of ZO-1 and Na+/K+-ATPase. Our results show SQSQ and SQQQ sequences with a balance between an improved cell yield and hexagonal morphology rate. CEC cultured in the SQQQ sequence produced procollagen I, showed Na+/K+-ATPase function, and expression of ZO-1 and Na+/K+-ATPase. Our study sets a culture approach to guarantee CEC expansion, as well as functionality for their potential use in tissue engineering and in vivo analyses. Thus, the alternation of S and Q media improves CEC culture. SQQQ sequence demonstrated CEC proliferation and lower the cost implied in SQSQ sequences. We discarded the use of pituitary extract and ROCK inhibitors as essential for CEC proliferation.

Reproductive performance of lambari ( Astyanax altiparanae ) in a seminatural system using different protocols

We evaluated lambari (Astyanax altiparanae) reproductive performance by administration of gradually increasing doses of analogue of salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRHa). We performed two consecutive experiments applying six sGnRHa single doses in three replicates (ranging from 1 to 160 µg/kg) (Exp. 1) and three sGnRHa-fractioned doses in four replicates (10% + 90% – 12 hr interval) (10, 100 and 1,000 µg/kg) (Exp. 2) in 6 months old breeders. In both experiments, 6 mg of Carp pituitary extract (CPE)/kg and saline solution (without hormonal therapy) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Reproductive performance was recorded for both experiments; and quantification of 17α-20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P) and prostaglandin F2α plasma levels and ovarian histological evaluations were introduced in Exp. 2. Using a single dose, the spawning rate was low and similar between all groups (from 0% to 20%). Using fractioned doses, the spawning rate of CPE (60%) was higher than other groups (from 10% to 25%), but similar to 1,000 µg of sGnRHa/kg (40%). 17,20β-P increased at the final sampling regardless of treatment (including controls) or successful spawning, suggesting that the simple grouping of fish caused this increase. 17,20β-P and PGF2α plasma levels did not explain ovulation failures in this species. CPE-fractioned doses improved lambari ovulation and provided final maturation in all evaluated females; however, hormonal induction was not conditional for obtaining ovulation since spawning was registered in negative control. Concluding, CPE-fractioned doses protocol can be applied to increase reproductive performance of this species.

Tambaqui females (Colossoma macropomum) spawn after hormonal induction with buserelin acetate

The aim of this study was to evaluate induced reproduction in tambaqui females using buserelin acetate as compared with the traditional treatment regimen with carp pituitary extract (CPE). Reproductive traits of females with a body weight (BW) of 8.47 ± 1.52 kg were evaluated in ten females treated with buserelin acetate at the dose of 0.5 mL/kg BW, in a single application, and in ten females treated with CPE at the dose of 5.5 mg/kg BW, in two applications (10 % and 90 %, with a 12-h interval between applications). Spawning rate did not differ between the females treated with buserelin acetate (40 %) and CPE (40 %). Weight, fertilization rate and hatching rate did not differ between the two treatment groups. Degree-hours (determined as the average temperature multiplied by time, in hours, for spawning after the treatment with the second dose of CPE and after the single treatment with buserelin acetate) for spawning and number of oocytes per gram of gametes collected were greater (P < 0.05) in the females treated with buserelin acetate than in the females treated with CPE. Production index, absolute fecundity and relative fecundity were greater (P < 0.05) in the females treated with CPE. The hormone buserelin acetate promotes reproduction in tambaqui females with there being a similar spawning rate and oocyte quality, however, lesser production indices and fecundity than when there is the conventional treatment regimen imposed with carp pituitary extract.

Human serum albumin as a clinically accepted cell carrier solution for skin regenerative application

The rules governing Medicinal Products in the European Union necessitates the production of cell-based therapy in good manufacturing practice facilities. The produced cells may need several hours in transportation to reach the application sites. In this study, we investigated four candidate solutions for transporting human keratinocytes. The solutions are (1) normal saline, (2) saline with 2.5% human serum albumin (Saline + HSA), (3) chemically defined, xeno-free keratinocyte media and (4) keratinocyte media with pituitary bovine extract (PBE-media). One million keratinocytes from three donors were suspended in each solution and kept at 4 °C for up to 24 h. Cells kept in Saline + HSA showed higher viability after 1, 3 and 24 h. Then, equal number of viable cells were seeded on collagenous matrix and cultured for 48 h. The adhesion and colonization were higher in the cells kept in PBE-media, while the keratinocyte surface marker, cytokeratin 14, was present in all studied groups. These results confirmed the suitability of Saline + HSA as a cell transportation solution for clinical use, which will be the choice for the planned clinical trial. Keratinocyte PBE-media can be an alternative for cells transported for research purpose, if the same media type is going to be used in the following experiments.

Synergistic Combination of Exogenous Hormones to Improve the Spawning and Post-spawning Survival of Female Yellow Catfish.

Multiple repeat spawners make large contributions to long-term population stability and aquaculture breeding programs. A high percentage of female yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) died for spawning failure or incomplete spawning after artificial spawning by traditional synthetic hormones including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), and domperidone (DOM). The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of different combinations of exogenous hormones for inducing ovulation in yellow catfish using hCG, LHRH, DOM, and carp pituitary extraction (CPE). We found a optimal strategy for exogenous hormones administration, the mixture of LHRH/CPE for the first injection and LHRH/CPE/DOM for the second injection, could greatly improve the rates of spawning success, weight of ovulated eggs and survival rate after spawning. Interestingly, a population of female yellow catfish with defective reproductive duct could not spawn and showed high mortality after induced by a combination of hCG/LHRH/DOM, whereas a synergistic combination of hCG, LHRH, DOM, and CPE could efficiently induce spawning and reduce mortality in the defective yellow catfish, in which a significant decrease of Vitellin and E2 levels. Altogether, our findings provide an effective combination of exogenous hormones to improve spawning and post-spawning survival of female yellow catfish.

Comparative effects of ovaprim and pituitary hormone on the inducement, hatchability, survival and growth performance of &lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt;

The effects of Ovaprim and catfish pituitary extracts on inducement, hatchability and growth of Clarias gariepinus were assessed. Fifteen broodfish, (9 males and 6 females) having mean weight of 1kg were procured and used for the study. All brood fish were selected by external morphological characteristics following standard procedures. The hatchlings were further raised for ten weeks for growth study. The water parameters monitored were dissolved oxygen (6.65mg/l), pH (7.3) and temperature (28ºC). The results showed that there were no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in the mean fecundity of 29,852.67fish in Ovaprim and 26,230.00fish in pituitary extracts and hatchability rate (83.00% in Ovaprim and 81.67% in pituitary extracts). Survival rates of the fingerlings were 74.67% in Ovaprim and 76.67% in pituitary. However, significant changes (p&lt;0.05) were observed in growth parameters such as weight gain, percentage weight gain and specific growth rates. From the results, Ovaprim is highly recommended to hatchery users considering the rate of fertilization, hatchability, survival, growth rate, low cost and availability.&#x0D; Keywords: Pituitary extract, Ovaprim, hypophysation and Clarias gariepinus